Red alert as Gerrard seeks transfer
Liverpool turn down £32m Chelsea bid
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard paved the way for his Anfield departure yesterday 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 Milan, the England midfielder rejected a contract offer in a move that will kick-start a transfer bidding war among Europe's elite.
"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 to prise the inspirational playmaker away from his hometown club.
That would eclipse the £29.1 million Manchester United paid to Leeds for 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 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 Milan as Liverpool rallied from 3-0 down to reach 3-3 and a penalty shootout victory in the Champions League final.
Following the game he appeared to pledge his future to the club after months of speculation.
"How can I leave after a night like this?" he said in Istanbul.
Liverpool are preparing to face Welsh part-timers TNS in their Champions League first round qualifier today week.