Red alert as Gerrard seeks Liverpool transfer
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-06 08:35

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard paved the way for his Anfield departure on Tuesday by saying he wanted to leave the European champions.

Almost six weeks after lifting the Champions League trophy in Istanbul following a remarkable win over AC Milan, the England midfielder rejected a contract offer in a move that will kick-start a transfer bidding war among Europe's elite.

Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard is shown celebrating beating Olympiakos Piraeus in a Champions League Group A soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool in this December 8, 2004 file photo. [Reuters]

"The last six weeks have been the toughest of my life and it's the hardest decision I have ever had to make," Gerrard said.

"I fully intended to sign a new contract after the Champions League final, but the events of the last five or six weeks have changed all that.

"I have too much respect for the club and the people at it to get involved in a slanging match."

Earlier, Liverpool said Gerrard had rejected an improved and extended contract offer.

"We very much regret the decision he has taken," Liverpool said in a statement.

The five-times European champions also said they had rejected a bid for the 25-year-old from Premier League champions Chelsea.

Newspapers reported Chelsea had bid a British record 32 million pounds ($56.28 million) to prise the inspirational playmaker away from his hometown club.

That would eclipse the 29.1 million pounds Manchester United paid to Leeds United for England defender Rio Ferdinand in 2002. Real Madrid are also rumoured to be interested in Gerrard.

Liverpool are reported to have responded to a breakdown in talks with Gerrard over the weekend by offering him a two-year contract extension to 2009 on 100,000 pounds a week.

Manager Rafael Benitez said on Monday he wanted the midfielder to stay at Liverpool for the rest of his career and could even become the club's next manager.

Gerrard, who turned down an offer to join Chelsea last year, scored one goal and made another against AC Milan as Liverpool rallied from 3-0 down to reach 3-3 and a penalty shootout victory after extra time in the Champions League final.

Following the game he appeared to pledge his future to the club after months of speculation that he could leave Merseyside.

"How can I leave after a night like this and all the nights this season?" he said in Istanbul.

Liverpool are preparing to face Welsh part-timers TNS in their Champions League first round qualifier on July 13.

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