Gerrard breaks off Liverpool contract talks - reports
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-04 10:09

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has broken off contract talks less than six weeks after lifting the Champions League trophy, British media said on Monday.

The 25-year-old England midfielder is widely reported to be frustrated with his hometown club's failure to come up with an improved contract. His current deal has two years to run.

Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said on Sunday: "Our position is very clear, we want Gerrard to stay at the club."

However, The Times reported that at Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Saturday, Gerrard told manager Rafael Benitez he has "had enough" of their slow approach to the negotiations.

The latest developments, just nine days before Liverpool face TNS in a Champions League qualifier on July 13, will alert Premier League champions Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Both clubs are known to be admirers of Gerrard with Chelsea having tempted him to move before the start of last season only for the Liverpudlian to follow his heart and stay at Anfield.

NO OFFER

Monday's Daily Mail reported that after waiting weeks for talks to begin, Gerrard and his agent, Struan Marshall of SFX, met Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry last Wednesday and was stunned when he failed to make his client an offer.

Gerrard is thought to have been ready to sign a new deal since the final in Istanbul on May 25 when he became the first Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup in 21 years.

He put on a man-of the-match performance that included scoring their first goal in a remarkable victory over AC Milan as his team recovered from 3-0 down to win on penalties.

After a victory that gave Liverpool their fifth European Cup triumph and meant they kept the trophy, their inspirational captain was upbeat about his future at the club.

"I'm sure the manager and Rick Parry will want to talk soon," he said at the time. "How can I leave after a night like this and all the nights this season?"

But the lack of progress in discussions between Gerrard's camp and Parry, especially at the weekend, has reportedly led to an impasse and put the midfielder's future at the club in doubt.

Monday's reports said Gerrard was looking for improved terms of between 90,000-100,000 pounds ($160,000-$180,000) compared to his current 80,000 pounds per week contract with the club.

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