Gerrard staying with Liverpool

England midfielder Steven Gerrard, the subject of repeated transfer speculation, is to stay with Liverpool, the English premier league club announced on Monday.

Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, was part of the England team which was knocked out of Euro 2004 by Portugal last Thursday in the quarter-finals.

He said on Monday: "I have gone with the decision that is in my heart and that is to stay with Liverpool."

Gerrard, one of England's few success stories in Portugal, told a news conference at Anfield: "I have not been happy with the progression at the club over the last two years and for the first time in my career I thought about the possibility of moving on to a different club.

"But after coming home from Euro 2004 and sitting down with my family and also asking (chief executive) Rick (Parry) for four meetings in two months and spending all the time with my agent and close family...I have decided that I am staying on with Liverpool Football Club, that I am 100 percent committed to the football club."

Speculation has also been rife about the future of Liverpool and England team mate Michael Owen.

Parry told SkySports News: "We have always said we are reasonably optimistic about Michael and I am hopeful this (Gerrard staying) will help, but we shall see."

Liverpool finished fourth in the premier league last season, 30 points behind champions Arsenal, although their position secured a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

Ex-Valencia coach Rafa Benitez took over 12 days ago in place of Frenchman Gerard Houllier who was dismissed in May.