JULY 6
What a difference a day can make, Stevie

Liverpool Echo

Tony Barrett reports how Stevie Gerrard went from hero to zero - then back again - in a turbulent 24 hours

It was a statement which looked likely to haunt Steven Gerrard for years to come.

Fresh from leading his beloved Liverpool to their fifth European Cup, Gerrard finally uttered the words his worshipping fans had longed to hear when he asked the rhetorical question: "How could I leave after a night like this?"

But for 24 hours it seemed like the Reds' skipper was going to do exactly that. His bags appeared not only packed but on a delivery van heading away from Liverpool to West London.

From being the darling of the fans, Gerrard's announcement that he could no longer see a future for himself at Anfield turned hero worship into hatred.

Incredibly, these emotions are being turned on their head once again today in an action replay of last year's about turn, when Gerrard teetered on the brink of a move to Chelsea only to be pulled back at the last minute.

It seemed as if the glow that has surrounded the red half of Merseyside ever since that glorious night in Istanbul was going to be overshadowed by the departure of their talisman, the fan on the pitch.

Roman Abramovic was believed to be preparing a rouble-laden welcome for the Huyton-born midfielder in a record breaking transfer between two British clubs.

For the second time in 12 months the Russian billionaire thought he had snared his prize catch. All he needed to do was reel him in.

But, just as happened last year, he failed to count on Gerrard's love for his home town, his current club and, most importantly, the Liverpool fans.

When the news that Gerrard was staying at Liverpool arrived at 9am today it left every single Reds fan in a state of shock.

No-one knew what to believe as the intrigue was cranked up yet another, unimaginable level.

How could this happen? How could he be so sure on Tuesday that his Kop love affair was over, only for it to be back on again the very next day?

The divorce papers were signed and sealed - all they needed was a stamp and a postman to deliver them. But, somewhere along the way in the last 24 hours, the letter has been torn up and the romance is back on.

Where this leaves Gerrard in the eyes of the Liverpool fans is open to question.

Having flirted with other clubs twice in a year, his commitment to the cause will be questioned by some despite today's about turn.

But, just as supporters were coming to terms with a very public separation, Gerrard has let his heart rule his head as only a true fan could.

Suddenly the call of riches and apparently guaranteed success on offer at other clubs has been relegated by an affection for his beloved Reds and for that every Kopite should be grateful.

The exact reasons for such a spectacular U-turn are still to emerge. But it is likely that, just as happened in the summer of 2004, when he sat down and looked at the enormity of what he was doing Gerrard simply could not face leaving and the abrupt, painful removal of his hero status that would surely follow.

Perhaps he turned on the television to see a Liverpool shirt bearing his name being burned outside Anfield and saw his reputation also going up in smoke.

Maybe he sat down with his family, away from the spotlight and the supposedly independent advice of agents, and realised just what he would be leaving behind if he headed out of the Shankly Gates for good.

No Liverpool fans are dancing in the streets today. There is no palpable feeling of joy in the streets surrounding Anfield.

There is a bewilderment that can only come after such a turbulent roller-coaster ride that has twisted and turned emotions.

There is also a relief that when it came down to it Gerrard simply could not leave Liverpool. And, make no mistake, the money that would have been on offer for a player of his ability would have attracted any player in world football.

But, what cannot be denied is that Gerrard's once rock-solid relationship with the fans has been tarnished by two separate flirtations with other suitors.

The fact that he has turned away from the welcoming arms of Abramovic for a second time does not mask the fact that the captain of Liverpool FC, and a fan to boot, had announced that the Reds were no longer good enough for him.

How the fans react to such a turbulent state of affairs remains to be seen.

Liverpool take on Wrexham on Saturday in their first pre-season friendly. If Gerrard's name is sung first, as it usually is, then the love affair is well and truly back on.
 

JULY 6
Skipper's new contract has to be forever

By Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo

I can only imagine that Steven Gerrard seriously thought over the consequences of a move from Anfield that produced such a remarkable
U-turn.

There is no doubt that Liverpool FC is a special place and, despite the fact that he said he would be leaving only 24 hours ago, the implications of quitting his beloved club was just too much to bear.

Gerrard has gone through an incredible array of emotions in the past 12 months.

Speculation mounted that he might be ready to quit and accept a lucrative deal with Chelsea.

Then, to the relief of everyone concerned, he agreed a new deal and it looked as if the dust had settled.

The skipper had stated that his desire was to win trophies with the Reds and last season's Champions League success - and his subsequent comments about "How could I leave this club after that?" - appeared to suggest that his love affair with the club would be forever.

Then came the bombshell of the last few days, with Gerrard apparently disillusioned and feeling the club didn't want him, only for Liverpool to emphasise that they wanted Gerrard not only as a player for the future but as a potential manager of the club.

That didn't appear to change things and Gerrard was on his way.

But then has come this turnaround.

It is great news for the club and the fans, but one thing has to be sorted out in the negotiations over Gerrard's new contract: It must be forever.

The club cannot go through a "Gerrard" situation like this again.

The player has been on the brink of quitting twice and then committed himself to Liverpool.

The Gerrard-Chelsea, Gerrard-Real Madrid, Gerrard-any other club etc speculation must end now.

The whole affair has been unsettling for the club, the manager, the rest of the squad.

It definitely appeared to have some effect on the performances, not only of the whole team last season - Champions League apart - but on Gerrard himself.

He did not have his greatest season, but you cannot deny that he produced the goods when it mattered - with his performance and goal in the Champions League final.

The skip-per is an inspiration, but he must realise that it is the club, Benitez and the rest of the team that also matter.

It cannot be about just Steven Gerrard in future. And he cannot put the club through this again.

The Reds need a totally focused skipper next season and in the coming years; someone who can drive the team, but be a part of the teamwork that the Anfield boss is determined to create.

It's great he's staying. But let's hope it's the end of Gerrard talk.

The concentration can now be switched to the important Champions League qualifiers, the building of a new team and the bid for further honours.

JULY 6
It's great news, says King Kenny

By John Thompson - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish reacted by saying: "It's fantastic news."

Dalglish said after hearing of Gerrard's decision to remain at Anfield: "I think after the European Cup Final win, both Steven and the club wanted to continue the relationship.

"But for some reason we are maybe not entitled to know, yesterday it seemed as if that was not going to happen.

"But there is a totally different atmosphere now today and everyone will be delighted.

"In any conversation I have had with Steven he's been very positive and appreciative of the fans and the support they have given him.

"He's been at the club since he was 12 years of age.

"It's not corny - he really does love Liverpool FC. He could play anywhere in the world but is where he is because he wants to be there.

"I rate him very highly as one of the best players ever to play for Liverpool and if Liverpool were to make any signing this summer then Steven's signature is the best one they could possibly hope to have. "It's great news for everyone concerned and credit too to Steven for rejecting the money that was on offer from Chelsea."

Dalglish added: "Yes, it is the second time he has stepped back from the brink but sometimes if you really love something you can get a bit frustrated and act on impulse. I think you can excuse him that.

John Aldridge said: "Obviously I'm delighted as everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club.

"Players like Steve Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are what Liverpool FC are all about.

"It takes a big man to go back on what he thought was right and say it was wrong - so he's been honest to himself and to the club which is nice to see.

"He's pledging his future to Liverpool he's showing how much he loves the club."

Ex- Reds striker David Fairclough said: "Personally I think it's fantastic news. I am delighted - he's a great player.

"I was very disappointed to hear the message that was being transmitted yesterday, because on the back of the Champions League success Liverpool fans all wanted Steven to be part of the move forward.

"So it was a great disappointment and upset to hear he was going to leave.

"For all Liverpool fans last year it was a nuisance with the constant 'Will he stay? Will he go?'

"But it's quite clear the fans love him and on the back of the success in Istanbul the club was moving forward and we would want him to be the backbone of the team.

"I don't question his commitment. He was obviously confused and the messages became a bit unclear.

"I think Liverpool FC thought he had made his intentions clear and there was a comfort in that.

"They thought let's take a break and negotiate when everyone's back together but somewhere there was some change in communication.

"But it's terrific news. He's a homegrown players and that's what the fans want more of and it's a great boost on the eve of the Champions League starting again.

"I think the Liverpool fans all hope this is a firm committal and we can move on."

JULY 6
Gerrard: Why I just couldn't say
goodbye to beloved Reds

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Steven Gerrard today reflected on today's dramatic developments at Anfield and explained: "I just couldn't leave the club I love".

Gerrard decided to reject Chelsea for the second consecutive summer and told club officials of his momentous u-turn last night.

The Reds skipper revealed today how 24 hours of agonising made him realise just what he'd be giving up if he walked out on the European champions.

An emotional Gerrard confirmed he'll be signing a new four year contract and hopes the speculation surrounding his future will now end for good.

"I had the whole of yesterday to think about my decision and what I was doing. I turned off my phone and my television and went through it all in my head again," said Gerrard.

"After considering everything that's gone on, I just couldn't go through with it and leave this club. I never said I wanted to leave in the first place, but I'd felt I was being backed into a corner and had to push things on.

"I know it was going to look as though I wanted to go, but at one stage I thought I had no choice. When I thought about it more, I just wanted to stay.

"I admitted I've made mistakes and the club has acknowledged they've made some mistakes as well. But now we've sorted it out and I'm doing what I wanted to do all along, which is stay at Liverpool."

The crisis began when Gerrard was concerned about the delay in contract negotiations, which finally started last Wednesday.

Gerrard was concerned manager Rafa Benitez secretly wanted to sell him because it took so long for talks to begin.

Matters were further complicated when false reports appeared in the Spanish Press claiming Gerrard fancied a move to Madrid - something he'd never said.

Liverpool spent the last 48 hours convincing their captain the conspiracy theory was the figment of someone's imagination.

Benitez also argued that the speed of Chelsea's bid on Monday was highly suspicious.

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry admitted the Reds may have underestimated the urgency of the situation to their skipper. At worst, Liverpool were guilty of failing to recognise how important it was for negotiations with the skipper to start immediately after the European Cup Final.

Thankfully for all sides, the situation has been recovered at the eleventh hour.

Liverpool convinced Gerrard there was no conspiracy on their part to engineer his transfer, spelt out just how much they want him and prompted the skipper to re-think after originally indicating the time had come to move on yesterday morning.

"I've now apologised to Liverpool and they've apologised to me, which is important," Gerrard continued. "I was left feeling so confused yesterday. I was receiving all kinds of advice and information from so many people, but I just had to sit down with my girlfriend and advisor and think it all through again for myself. I was just thinking 'how have we got into this mess and what's the best way out of it?'. I knew I had to do what I'd intended doing all along and sign a new contract.

"I made the decision last night that I couldn't leave this club. I love Liverpool so much. This is my club. My heart is with Liverpool. I don't need to tell anyone that. Everyone who knows me can see how I feel. The last thing I wanted to do was leave, I just couldn't do it."

The skipper realises many fans were deeply upset 24 hours ago, but his change of heart will be celebrated by those who couldn't bear the thought of Gerrard moving to Stamford Bridge.

"My relationship with the supporters has always been fantastic and I knew a lot of people would be disappointed if I'd decided to go. I thought about the fans and the future," Gerrard said..

"As I'd said all along, I never wanted to leave. I don't want to go into details now about what happened over the last few weeks because the most important thing now is we can sort it out.

"I'm going to sign a new contract and, like I've always done, will be doing everything possible to make Liverpool successful again.

"It's been a bit of a mess but now we can sort it out and move forward. As I've said, we can all learn things from this.

"Now we all want to look forward."
 

JULY 6
Thompson stunned at Gerrard U-turn

TEAMtalk

Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson admitted his astonishment after Steven Gerrard committed his future to the club after an astonishing turnaround.

Champions League-winning skipper Gerrard had looked set to leave after the club on Tuesday revealed he had turned down a new contract offer.

But chief executive Rick Parry on Wednesday told how he had persuaded Gerrard to stay after clearing up misunderstanding between the club and the England midfielder.

And Thompson, who worked with Gerrard as Gerard Houllier's assistant manager until last summer, was "delighted".

"I can't believe it, I'm still trying to get my head around what has happened," he said.

"I am delighted Steven is staying, I was speaking to him four or five days before pre-season training and there was no happier lad on Merseyside. He wanted to get a deal done, but he was a little concerned it was not done quicker. But it was only a side issue.

"He was absolutely delighted and looking forward to the start of the season," Thompson told Sky Sports News.

"I don't know what happened in between, I wonder if anything was going on behind the scenes with an agent or something. I was absolutely gobsmacked on Sunday," he said in relation to Sunday newspaper reports.

"Then it all happened on Monday. There seemed to be unbelievable events going on. His (Gerrard's) mind must have been all over the place, and it needed a step back and that's what the parties have done.

"But this cannot keep happening every 12 months, it does not do anyone any good. It needs to be nailed down once and for all."

JULY 6
Gerrard makes Reds U-turn

By Peter ORourke - Sky Sports

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has made an amazing U-turn by deciding to stay at the club.

Gerrard had looked to be on his way out of Anfield after telling the club he wanted to leave on Tuesday.

The England international rejected Liverpool's offer of a new deal late on Monday night, paving the way for a move out of Anfield.

Chelsea had seen a bid for the midfielder turned down on Tuesday and they looked to be favourites to land his signature.

However, Gerrard after mulling over his future, has decided to stay at Liverpool and the news is a massive boost for Rafa Benitez and everyone at the club with The Reds beginning the defence of their European Cup next week.

Reds chief executive Rick Parry revealed the amazing twist on Wednesday morning, claiming Gerrard was now set to sign a new deal.

"Steven's decided to stay," Parry told Sky Sports News. "He realises how much the club means to him; genuinely, it's a little bit like last year, perhaps even more dramatic.

"I think the language he's been using to us even when he said he was going, he never said he wanted to go as he said it was so difficult, I don't think I can come back; he never said he wanted to go.

"The last 24 hours he has reflected on it and thought it through and he wants to stay.

"I couldn't be more delighted and, from my point of view, it is what we wanted all along.

"I apologise to Stevie if I've misread his emotions. I guess I thought after Istanbul I thought we knew where we were going, but it was obviously praying on his mind.

"He was anxious and he genuinely felt club wasn't as enthusiastic as we might be about keeping him and there were one or two issues with the contract he took to be perhaps a lack of enthuasism on our part, which it wasn't, but he understands that now.

"We had some emotional moments together and cleared all that and I don't think it will happen again.

"There were a few late night phone calls and a few very early morning calls this morning and I think he just wants a couple of days to go away and clear his head now.

"It hasn't been easy for him but, as far as we're concerned, it's the right decision."

Parry believes Gerrard will now sign a new improved deal to extend his stay at Anfield.

"I think it's hammered (a new deal). I don't think it's an issue," added Parry. "We all understand what is required and that's the easy bit.

"I think to be fair to Stevie, he's not staying because he was concerned about negativity. The point I made to Stevie on Monday was think of the fans in Istanbul, think of the positives, how can you leave that? And I think that's been on his mind.

"It is not a decision for negative reasons he found it complicated but it was always difficult for him to say he wanted to go and I'm more certain than ever that he's fully committed and this is where he wants to be."

When asked if the latest development would mean Chelsea and Real Madrid could forget about signing him, Parry added: "Absolutely."

JULY 5
Parry: We did everything we could

By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website

Rick Parry has this evening spoken of his disappointment following Steven Gerrard's decision to leave Anfield and insisted the club did everything they could to persuade him to sign a new contract.

The skipper informed the club that he won't be signing a new deal early this afternoon as he prepares for a career away from Merseyside.

Chelsea are now expected to return with an improved bid after having an offer rejected by Liverpool on Tuesday, while Real Madrid could also enter the race for his signature.

Parry admits he is disappointed with Gerrard's decision, but he insists everyone at the club is remaining calm and continuing to plan for the future.

He said: "It's disappointing because we made it clear we wanted him to stay. There's no question about that. He's made it pretty clear now that he wants to go and so we have to move on.

"I remember sitting with him last summer and underdstanding his frustrations, which were deep at the time. He came close to leaving then but we asked him to stick with us and see what we could achieve. We thought we had achieved a fair bit last season.

"To be fair to Stevie this hasn't been about money. Money hasn't been a problem. It's about his commitment and about a feeling of where he wants to be in the long term. He feels he has a better chance of winning trophies and being successful somewhere else. It's our job now to prove him wrong.

"People might think winning the Champions League is a good marker that this club is moving in the right direction. I told him to think of the fans, to think of Istanbul and to think of the twelfth man which has been with us all season.

"We're all disappointed but the club has to move on now and we'll have to see what tomorrow brings. We're all calm."

JULY 5
'Where is the loyalty?' ask furious Reds fans

Ireland On-Line

Liverpool’s Champions League triumph last season has been “tainted” by captain Steven Gerrard’s decision to leave Anfield, according to supporters.

Gerrard led the Reds to European glory against the odds after rejecting a move to Chelsea 12 months ago, choosing instead to try to win trophies with the only club he has played for.

Today, however, the Reds have revealed their talisman has made it clear he will not sign a new contract despite an offer of £100,000 per week and, according to the club, he has told them he wants to leave.

Liverpool have already rejected a bid of around £32m from Chelsea for the England star but Les Lawson, of the Liverpool International Supporters’ Association, insisted he should not be sold for less than £40m.

“He’s lifted the European Cup, but it is definitely tainted. It would be saved a bit if he went abroad to Real Madrid but if he goes to another Premiership club, he’ll definitely be tainted,” Lawson told the Press Association.

“No one player is bigger than Liverpool Football Club. If winning the European Cup is not competing at the highest level, and winning winning major trophies, I don’t know what is.

“He has turned down £100,000 a week; I’m still paying off my credit card bill and thousands of Liverpool supporters are the same from going to Istanbul to cheer him on and he is turning down £100,000 per week to play for the team that he is supposed to have supported since he was a kid.

“He is supposed to be a boyhood Red. As far as I’m concerned he’s not. If he wants to leave Liverpool, last season they were after him three times to sign a new contract and he was saying ‘wait, wait’.

“He’s won every major honour with Liverpool except the Premier League title, which is not bad going for a team that can’t compete at the highest level,” Lawson said.

Asked why Gerrard might want to leave so badly, Lawson was at a loss to answer.

“Who knows why? Obviously he’s going to get more money at other clubs than Liverpool but I just think he thinks he is bigger than Liverpool FC. I’d just like to tell him he’s not. He’s a fantastic footballer, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not bigger than the club. Nobody is.

“Where is the loyalty? I don’t want any player who does not want to play for us. If he wants to go, then go. But I’m very sad because he is a class player.”

Lawson insisted the club were not to blame for the current situation and believes agents have played a significant role in his decision to move on.

“What have Liverpool done wrong? Liverpool asked him to stay three times and he said wait. After the Champions League final he said he wanted to stay, Liverpool wanted to keep him, so what was the problem? Obviously he’s been looking for an excuse to get out.

“He is going, but he is not going with his head held high.

“The ball is in Liverpool’s court. I wouldn’t sell him for less than £40m. If Chelsea come in I’d ask them for £40m plus William Gallas and Damien Duff. That’s what I’d look for. With the money, I’d go out and buy Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Ballack and maybe Ruben Baraja. You are not going to replace him with one player.

“It’s a very sad day for Liverpool Football Club. I feel bitterly disappointed that he has decided to do this. I just hope Jamie Carragher, who is a player who deserves to wear the red shirt, is given the captaincy.”

JULY 5
Gerrard: I want to go

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Steven Gerrard has told Liverpool he intends to quit Anfield after rejecting the club's new contract offer.

Chief executive Rick Parry was informed the news the club was dreading today after Gerrard turned down a four-year-deal.

Chelsea are now expected to follow up their first British transfer bid of £32m to capture the Liverpool skipper.

Parry told the ECHO today: "We desperately want to keep Stevie and we've told him we don't want him to leave. However, in rejecting our offer of a new contract he has indicated he wants to go."

A statement on the club's official website added: "The club has made it crystal clear we want to keep Steven at Anfield.

"Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave Liverpool. We very much regret the decision he has taken."

Gerrard's agent, Struan Marshall, informed Liverpool of the decision earlier today.

Liverpool say they will leave the door open for a change of heart and the player will have to make a formal transfer request before he's sold.

Talks were revived with Gerrard and Marshall at Melwood last night when a lucrative four year deal was offered to the 25-year-old.

By then, the Stamford Bridge club had faxed a British record offer for the midfielder. Liverpool have responded by saying they have no intention of selling Gerrard.

Said chief executive Parry today: "I can confirm we have had a bid from Chelsea and that it will be rejected by us."

Gerrard spent the night agonising over his decision on Liverpool's contract and was training at Melwood today as he mulled over his future.

Having rejected the deal, a week of transfer posturing lies in store as Chelsea's first bid was turned down flat.

Real Madrid are also expected to join the race for Gerrard's signature.

Rafa Benitez will have no choice but to seek an early resolution in order to fill the chasm Gerrard's departure will leave in his squad.

Thor Zakariassen ©