Rafa rejects Gerrard’s offer to quit captaincy

STEVEN GERRARD offered to give up the captain’s armband at Liverpool in recognition of the upset his transfer U-turn has caused at Anfield.

The move, which was rejected by manager Rafael Benitez, emphasised the depth of irritation Gerrard felt his controversial stance has caused.

Gerrard addressed his team-mates face to face at the club's Melwood training ground yesterday, but those same players had already spoken to Benitez and told them they wanted their European Cup-winning skipper to keep the job.