Hands off Gerrard, warns Houllier

LIVERPOOL manager Gerard Houllier has defiantly brushed off reports linking skipper Steven Gerrard with a move to Arsenal and Manchester United by declaring: “You would have to cut off both my arms before I let go of him.”

The Frenchman has laughed off such talk, as well as claims Michael Owen is also wanted by the new champions.

But just to underline how much Gerrard is off limits to any prospective suitors, Houllier said: “You would have to cut off both my arms before I let go of Steven Gerrard because I would have them both wrapped around him.”

Houllier yesterday described talk of such transfers out of Anfield as “stupid and laughable” but feels the need to calm Kop fears for the future of the club’s most prized assets.

Houllier added: “Steven is irreplaceable. We have big plans for him here to take him up to an even higher level. I want him to not only become player of the year in England but he has every chance to be European and world player of the year in the future as well.

“Lothar Matthaus achieved that as a central midfielder and so can Steven. He’s my captain and that tells you everything you need to know about what I think of him. And everyone knows what Steven thinks of the club, too.”

Liverpool have declined officially to dignify the speculation with even a ‘hands-off’ warning, and boss Houllier said: “When I saw those things I just laughed, they are just not true. But it is what I expect to see, it is the sort of thing we have to put up with.”

Houllier believes such speculation is typical of what Liverpool see as an orchestrated campaign to undermine the club at a crucial time of the season as they battle for Champions League qualification.

Owen’s agents have opened preliminary talks with Liverpool over his new contract recently, and the player has always insisted that he would not leave for another English club.

Houllier said: “I would be very upset if Michael left, because the best of him is yet to come. We have had preliminary talks and they went well. My position is the same as it has been all season. I think Michael will stay with us. Whether I am proved to be right or wrong only time will tell.”

But Houllier reiterated he was “amused” to see Owen and Gerrard both linked with Arsenal on the same day this week.

But Liverpool fans know the ongoing Owen situation has hardly helped their cause this season, or the striker’s own performances.

Owen’s agent opened preliminary talks with Liverpool recently, and the player has always insisted he would not leave for another English club.

The striker holds all the cards in the negotiations, his contract has a year and a bit to run, he can talk to other clubs in January and leave for nothing next summer.

Owen and his people look to be playing for time, to see where Liverpool are next season, whether Houllier will be around.

One top agent, who declined to be named, said: “It is in Owen’s interests to hang on and to consider the options.”

Houllier does have a shortlist of potential replacements for Owen, beyond signing Djibril Cisse from Auxerre at the end of the season.

Liverpool are aware of the situation surrounding Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw, who Celtic are believed to want for £3million and with City suffering financial troubles, the Wales international could be on his way.

Meanwhile, Houllier was involved in a road accident on his way home from training yesterday. His Jaguar was in a collision with another vehicle on a busy roundabout. Police were called but nobody was injured and there will be no further investigation.