Gerrard will stay at Liverpool, claims Hodgson

Steven Gerrard will commit his long term future to Liverpool, according to new boss Roy Hodgson.

And Hodgson is hoping that will inspire the Reds' other big name stars to follow, by ignoring mega-money offers from Europe's top clubs.

Hodgson revealed yesterday that he has already held extensive talks with his Anfield skipper, who insisted he had no plans to move on.

The midfielder is a key figure at Liverpool, and his commitment in backing his new boss could be decisive in persuaded other players to stay.

The England captain has now gone away on holiday after lengthy talks with Hodgson, and the Reds boss offered the news all the club's fans have been waiting to hear, when he said:

"I had talks with Steven and Jamie Carragher and I think they went splendidly - I was delighted to see how positive they are," he said.

"I anticipate there might be a situation where other big clubs will try and sign Steven, but he gave me no indication that he wanted to leave.

"Nobody at the club wants him to go so I will be doing my utmost to make sure he stays. I am confident he will."

Gerrard has been trailed by Real Madrid since the end of the season, but Spanish football is suffering financially in the wake of a TV money crisis, and they are unlikely to be able to bid the sort of figures it would take to prise him out of Anfield.

Barcelona too, have been badly affected after the TV rights holder in that country, and they are unlikely to be able to make any bid as planned for Fernando Torres or Javier Mascherano.

Chelsea are still trailing Torres, but he has already indicated that he will speak to the new manager before making any decision over his future, and Hodgson is hoping Gerrard's example will be enough to persuade the striker to stay for at least another year.

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