Gerrard wants Anfield future sorted quickly

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard has reiterated his desire to stay at Anfield and hopes talks over a new deal can be resolved quickly.

After leading the club to victory in the Champions League, Gerrard is now ready to commit his future to Liverpool and is keen for contract negotiations to get under way.

Gerrard has been linked with other clubs most notably with Chelsea last summer but he admitted after the Champions League success it would be difficult to leave.

Asked yesterday if he wanted to stay at Liverpool, the 25-year-old said: "Of course. I've still got two seasons left and I don't know how long talks will go on for but the sooner it is sorted the better."

Gerrard says he is looking forward to the new season, which for Liverpool begins with a Champions League first-round qualifier on July 12 or 13.

He is unconcerned about having to start the campaign so early and is just happy UEFA have been able to allocate Liverpool a place in the competition.

UEFA changed their rules last week to allow the holders the chance to defend their title. They had not qualified automatically after finishing fifth in the Barclays Premiership.

He added: "It is very important for the champions to defend the trophy. I'm looking forward to a long season ahead. We can't complain about being in the first round because the rules stated we shouldn't be in it.

"The European Cup has gone now. We've got to be just as hungry. We won the big one but it is important we forget about that and move on and try to do better in the Premiership."

The early start to Gerrard's season means he could be in action for almost a year should England go far in the World Cup.

But he brushed aside fears he may be tired, saying: "People think I'll be drained but I'll look after myself."

Gerrard's long season will include a trip to Japan in December to play in FIFA's World Club Championship.

The tournament incorporates the Toyota Cup, a play-off between the European and South American club champions and FIFA have made clear they expect Liverpool to be there.

"They must play the Toyota Cup because it is binding for them for 2005," president Sepp Blatter told the Daily Mail.

"The cup is in Japan and they will have to travel. Do you think they won't play? They will play."

Liverpool moved a step closer to signing Villarreal's Jose Reina today when the goalkeeper firmly declared his desire to play for the Reds and "legendary" coach Rafael Benitez.

Reina said: "The move is not sure yet as we are still negotiating and nothing will be definite until the end of June. Of course it would be amazing to go there and work with Rafa Benitez because he is a legend, but at the moment it is better not to consider being a Red until it actually happens."

The 22-year-old Spaniard, whose play helped Villarreal reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in the 2003-04 campaign, signed an eight-year contract last summer.

But Reina said goodbye to Villarreal fans in the final game of the season after helping the side from near Valencia into the Champions League.

One player he will not be linking up with if he moves to Anfield is Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer, who has signed a two-year contract with Bordeaux.