Gerrard’s talks with Liverpool break down

LONDON – Steven Gerrard may be on the verge of leaving Liverpool after his agent said talks over a new deal had broken down and were unlikely to start again.

The England midfielder is unhappy Liverpool have yet to make him an improved offer following last season’s Uefa Champions League success, opening up the possibility of a big-money move to Chelsea or Real Madrid. He has two years of his current deal to run but it has been rumoured that he is unhappy because the Reds did not open talks as quickly as he had hoped.His agent Struan Marshall told BBC Sport yesterday: “Talks have stalled and are unlikely to be re-opened.”Liverpool insist a deal can be done and Benitez told a news conference: “We want Steven Gerrard with us for next season and the rest of his life.”If I decide to go after eight years or so, I would like to see him as assistant manager, chief scout, if he wants, or maybe as manager.”Chief executive Rick Parry told the Liverpool Echo: “Rafa wants Steven to stay and couldn’t have made it any clearer.”We still hope this situation is repairable.We are completely surprised by the comments this morning, having made it clear since January we wanted to talk to Steven about a new contract.Gerrard indicated his desire to stay at Anfield in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s stunning European Cup triumph over AC Milan in May and thought the issue would be dealt with almost instantly.Instead, just nine days away from Benitez’s men beginning the defence of their trophy against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions, Gerrard looks further away than ever from agreeing a new deal.Parry knows unless his future is resolved one way or another this summer, his vast market value will begin to plummet.But last week Spanish reports claimed that Gerrard had admitted to Benitez his interest in a move to Real Madrid, who are said to be willing to more than double his wages to over 8 million pounds a year.- Nampa-ReutersHe has two years of his current deal to run but it has been rumoured that he is unhappy because the Reds did not open talks as quickly as he had hoped.His agent Struan Marshall told BBC Sport yesterday: “Talks have stalled and are unlikely to be re-opened.”Liverpool insist a deal can be done and Benitez told a news conference: “We want Steven Gerrard with us for next season and the rest of his life.”If I decide to go after eight years or so, I would like to see him as assistant manager, chief scout, if he wants, or maybe as manager.”Chief executive Rick Parry told the Liverpool Echo: “Rafa wants Steven to stay and couldn’t have made it any clearer.”We still hope this situation is repairable.We are completely surprised by the comments this morning, having made it clear since January we wanted to talk to Steven about a new contract.Gerrard indicated his desire to stay at Anfield in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s stunning European Cup triumph over AC Milan in May and thought the issue would be dealt with almost instantly.Instead, just nine days away from Benitez’s men beginning the defence of their trophy against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions, Gerrard looks further away than ever from agreeing a new deal.Parry knows unless his future is resolved one way or another this summer, his vast market value will begin to plummet.But last week Spanish reports claimed that Gerrard had admitted to Benitez his interest in a move to Real Madrid, who are said to be willing to more than double his wages to over 8 million pounds a year.- Nampa-Reuters