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.

"Steven is our captain and I want him to stay as captain," Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

The news came as a welcome relief to Gerrard, who is expected to sign a £2030million four-year contract on Friday.

"It would have broken my heart to have lost the captaincy but I thought it was right to make the offer because I know some of the players have been frustrated with what has gone on," he said.

Just 24 hours ago, the Reds were resigned to losing their skipper after Gerrard rejected the deal which would have made him the highest-paid player in the club's history.

With Chelsea poised to swoop with a British record £40million (€59m) bid, Gerrard left Melwood for what appeared to be the last time, steeling himself for a life away from his hometown club.

But once he got home, his mind started swirling. With the television and mobile phone switched off, Gerrard sat in a room with his girlfriend and agent Struan Marshall and realised he was on the brink of making the biggest mistake of his life.

"I was just thinking 'how have we got into this mess and what is the best way out of it?'," he said.

"I knew I had to do what I had intended to do all along and sign a new contract.

"I love Liverpool so much. This is my club. My heart is with Liverpool. Everyone who knows me can see how I feel. The last thing I wanted to do was leave, I just could not do it."

So, just as he did 12 months ago, Gerrard phoned Parry and told him he wanted to sign the contract after all.

On paper, the deal will keep him at Anfield until 2009, but for Parry it is an acceptance he will stay for life.

"I am sure he is going to stay for good," said a relieved Parry, who spent an hour with Gerrard at Melwood this afternoon.

"Steven's commitment is complete. Last night, I admit, it looked as if it was going the other way but when it came down to it, I just think he couldn't leave."

Chairman David Moores, a close friend of Gerrard who also attended yesterday's brief discussions, claimed the player had become "confused" about the intentions of Parry and manager Rafael Benitez.

The indecision stemmed from Liverpool's failure to launch contract talks immediately after Gerrard had skippered the club to their stunning Champions League triumph in May.

Gerrard's patience snapped last Wednesday when Parry turned up for a first round of talks armed not with an offer but a request for the 25-year-old's terms.

What Parry took to be standard negotiating practice, Gerrard interpreted as further proof he was no longer wanted, triggering a series of events that appeared certain to see him sign for Chelsea.

"I felt I was being backed into a corner," revealed Gerrard.

"I know it looked as though I wanted to go but at one stage I thought I had no choice.

"If I blame anyone, it's myself. I wanted my future sorted out as soon as possible after the Champions League final but the longer it went on, the more misunderstandings there were.

"I admitted I have made some mistakes and that the club has acknowledged they have made some as well. I have now apologised to Liverpool and they have apologised to me, which is important.

"But now we have sorted it out and I am doing what I wanted to do all along, which is stay at Liverpool."

Having been given a few days off to recover from the emotional turmoil, he will almost certainly miss Saturday's friendly at Wrexham, but could be involved at Anfield next Wednesday as Liverpool begin the defence of their European title against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions.

"I have only one medal left to win at Liverpool and that is the Premiership," he said.

"That is what I want more than anything and Liverpool is the only place I have ever wanted to win it.

"In my heart, this is my club. I want to help bring success here for the supporters sake, as well as my own. I never want to go through this again."

Gerrard added: "These have been the most difficult days of my life. I am not proud of them. I want it all to blow over and get on with my football.

"I just feel the club deserve the next five to 10 years of my career. I don't want to give them to another club."