In a huge boost for new coach Rafael Benitez, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard on Monday ended speculation about a possible transfer by confirming that he will stay at Anfield.
”I have not been really happy with the progression of the club over the last two years as I have made aware to the media,” the 24-year-old England midfielder said.
”For the first time in my career I thought about the possibility of moving on but after coming home from Euro 2004 and sitting down with my family and spending time with my agent I have decided I am staying on at Liverpool football club,” he said.
Gerrard, who signed a new four-year deal with Liverpool in November last year, had been strongly linked with a switch to Chelsea during Euro 2004.
He expressed public dissatisfaction that the Reds only just managed to qualify for the Champions League, finishing fourth in the English Premiership.
”First of all I would like to say the last three or four weeks have been really confusing for me,” said Gerrard. ”I have been involved in a big tournament and that’s the reason I have been really quiet about my future.”
Liverpool said in a statement: ”The news will come as a huge relief to Liverpudlians everywhere who feared the club was set to lose the services of their highly influential captain.”
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and new manager Jose Mourinho had said that they were ready to take Gerrard to Stamford Bridge after his inspiring displays for England in Euro 2004. — Sapa-AFP