Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants captain Steven Gerrard to stay at the club for the rest of his career and also believes the midfielder should become their next manager.
Doubts over Gerrard’s future at Liverpool arose after it emerged talks over a new contract had broken down.
However, Benitez told a news conference on Monday: “I can assure the fans we want Steve to sta. If I renew my deal after four more years, I would like Steve to be the next assistant coach, the next assistant manager or maybe the next manager.
“He can be the chief scout if he wants.
“We want Steve to stay with us for his life, that’s our idea and we will try to the end. We are trying to build a better team and a better squad and I want Stevie to be a major part of that.
“We are improving the team,” added Benitez, as he unveiled four new signings. Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden, Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina, Chile winger Mark Gonzalez and Spanish fullback Antonio Barragan are the new arrivals at Anfield.
Benitez said Liverpool had tried to open talks over a new deal with Gerrard on three occasions last year but the player had wanted to wait.
Gerrard has two years to run on his current contract, but his agent told the BBC that talks had stalled and were “unlikely to be re-opened.”
