Benitez urges Gerrard to stay

STUNNED Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez pointed to the Champions League trophy and four new signings — then told Steven Gerrard to keep his side of their bargain by committing his future to Anfield.

Reds officials have been amazed by selectively-leaked reports highlighting the strength of Gerrard’s resentment over the current contract impasse, claiming they have no idea what has triggered their captain’s anger.

After learning Gerrard’s agent Struan Marshall had publicly confirmed contract negotiations had stalled and were “unlikely to re-open”, Benitez, backed by chief executive Rick Parry, went on the counter-offensive.

Highlighting the three previous failed attempts to open negotiations with Gerrard, the former Valencia coach then stated his assertion that Liverpool had delivered on their promises.

“Three times last season we tried to talk with Steven about a new deal and each time he said we needed to wait,” said Benitez.

“We spoke about trophies; we won the Champions League. We spoke about improving the team; we have signed the best goalkeeper in Spain, Middlesbrough’s best player and the best player in Chile.

“I can assure all fans we want Steve to stay with us next season and maybe all his life. In the future, if I decide to leave, I can see him as assistant manager, chief scout or even the manager. We want him to stay and will try until the end.”

The pay-off line suggests Benitez is fighting a losing battle, a situation which would turn May’s epic Champions League final victory over AC Milan into Gerrard’s last match for the club.

Conspiracy theories abound as to how the relationship between player and club deteriorated so rapidly, or how what Liverpool felt was a cordial initial first meeting over Gerrard’s new contract last Wednesday could trigger such discontent.

The 25-year-old Huyton-born star made his exit from Liverpool’s training complex at Melwood shortly after midday yesterday, less than an hour before Benitez introduced Dutchman Boudewijn Zenden as the first new arrival of the summer.

Benitez also confirmed Villarreal goalkeeper Jose Reina, Chile international Mark Gonzales and Sevilla full-back Antonio Barragan had been recruited.

The manager sees the new additions, and the likelihood of more to come, as proof he is delivering on his promise to make Liverpool more competitive in the Premiership.

However, Gerrard does not believe Benitez wants him any more, citing a failure to instigate talks immediately after Istanbul as evidence the club are attempting to engineer his departure.

“Rafa wants Steven to stay and he could not have made that any clearer,” said chief executive Parry.

“We are completely surprised by the reports, having made it clear since January we wanted to talk to Steven about a new contract. For anyone to make an issue of a delay of just a few days does not make sense. When we met on Wednesday things were fine.

“We have wanted to keep Steven all along. There has never been any suggestion we want to sell him.

“Money is not an issue. There are no financial concerns regarding Steven’s contract, so any suggestion to the contrary is wrong.”

A key date in the saga is next Wednesday when Benitez’s men begin the defence of their crown against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions at Anfield.

Should Gerrard play, it would cup-tie him for all European competition this season, almost certainly discouraging Real or Chelsea from making a move.

New boy Boudewijn Zenden intends to seal a place in the Reds midfield next season whether Gerrard stays or not.

“There are a lot of quality midfield players at Liverpool but I have not just come here to fill in the gaps,” said the 28-year-old.

“I have played in the middle with Boro last year and my main strengths are getting into the box and being creative, so I am looking to do a similar job here.”

Boro boss Steve McClaren was desperate to keep Zenden at the Riverside but knew he was fighting a losing battle once Liverpool had made their intentions known.

“When the new European champions knock on the door, the decision is quite easy,” he said.

“It is not just about what happened last year. Of more importance to me is the history of the club, what it stands for and what it has done over the years.”