Jamie Carragher has expressed his belief that Manchester City should to do everything in their power to keep Frank Lampard at the club until the end of the season.
The 36-year-old scored a vital goal in their 3-0 win over Southampton, notching his 174th strike in the Premier League, which moved Manuel Pellegrini's men above the Saints into second place in the table.
Carragher believes that Lampard has become a pivotal player for the Citizens, and feels the club have to try to extend his loan deal beyond January, when he is expected to join up with new MLS side New York City FC.
"How many times has he done this? He has moved to City now, but as he is shooting you know it is a goal. It is just Frank Lampard," Carragher told Sky Sports News.
"There is no one better who we have seen over the last 10-20 years in terms of that position of coming on to a ball. I think he is only one Premier League goal now behind Thierry Henry – that is an unbelievable stat for a central midfield player.
"City have to keep him. I do not know what goes on with City and the link with New York, but he has to stay at the club."
Pellegrini's side are next in action in the Premier League when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
Simon Sinclair
