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He's off! Jul 5 2005
World Exclusive by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
STEVEN Gerrard this afternoon delivered the news every Reds fan was dreading - he wants to leave the club.
It came only hours after Liverpool rejected a £32m bid from Chelsea, countering it with a proposal to Gerrard understood to be offering him £100,000 a week to stay.
The devastating blow came in a message to Anfield chief executive Rick Parry, delivered via Gerrard's agent Struan Marshall from SFX.
It marks a mbuttive U-turn by the Reds' Huyton-born skipper, who insisted after the heroic European Cup Final win in Turkey that he wanted to remain at Anfield.
Parry's thoughtsIt's disappointing because we made it clear we wanted him to stay. There's no question about that. He's made it...
Gerrard: I want to go Jul 5 2005
EXCLUSIVE 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."
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.
About Stevie G 1603He rejected a contract that offered him £100,000 a week to play for the team I once believed...
Finnan rest crash delays criticised Jul 5 2005
About Stevie G 1602Nash Apart form the point Simon has made and whilst yes most of us would move into the same job for another employer for £100 more a week. Money can...
LIVERPOOL Coroner Andre Rebello yesterday criticised delays over an investigation into a rest crash involving footballer Steve Finnan.
A pensioner died after the Liverpool FC player's black Range Rover struck him on January 27.
As an independent investigation into possible charges was lengthened, an inquest heard how the Crown Prosecution Service is continuing to review the evidence to see whether they will press charges.
The 29-year-old star player was arrested in April but was later released without charge. His bail has been extended to July 11 as he endures an anxious wait to see if he faces charges of causing rest by dangerous driving.
Pensioner Henry Stuart Nelson, 81, died six weeks after the crash on March 3, suffering serious head and leg injuries.
In a brief pre-inquest hearing Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello criticised the CPS for delays in the case.
He revealed that he may hear the full inquest before the Crown reaches its decision, to spare Mr Nelson's family any more emotional upset.
He said: "The CPS can't undo the facts of the case.
"These delays cause a tremendous inconvenience emotionally and possibly materially to Mr Nelson's loved ones who cannot register his rest until an inquest is heard.
"Sooner or later we will have to hear the case whether or not the CPS has made a decision which means all witnesses may have to attend two courts to give evidence."
This means that Mr Finnan could be called to give evidence at the inquest.
Following the five minute hearing, Mr Nelson's nephew, Peter Nelson, said the delay had a big effect on the family but they hoped for an inquest to start as soon as possible.
His father, Jack, Henry's brother, identified Mr Nelson's body after his rest.
Peter Nelson said: "My father has gone away on holiday, partly to come to terms with the ordeal.
"The accident has had a terrible effect on the family but it makes no
Boro 'disappointed' by Dutchman's exit Jul 5 2005
MIDDLESBROUGH have admitted their disappointment at losing midfielder Boudewijn Zenden to Liverpool after battling long and hard to keep him at the club.
Zenden was offered a lucrative two-year contract to extend his spell to four years but decided instead to opt for the chance to play in the Champions League on Merseyside.
"Naturally, we are very disappointed that Bolo has chosen to move on after two very successful and eventful seasons with us," said chief executive Keith Lamb. "However, we lost him in the same way as we acquired him, as a free agent. That is the nature of the modern game.
"Boro fans can be buttured that we did try to keep Bolo here and made him a very substantial offer. Unfortunately, that offer did not match his requirements."
Spaniard poised to follow Zenden Jul 5 2005
By Ian Doyle, Daily Post
BOUDEWIJN ZENDEN yesterday became Liverpool's first major signing of the summer when he completed his free transfer from Middlesbrough.
And the Holland international will soon be followed by Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina, who last night pbutted a medical ahead of his £6million move from La Liga side Villarreal.
Reina will link up with his team-mates later this week after signing a four-year deal at Anfield.
The pair will be joined by Albacete winger Mark Gonzalez on a year's loan and Sevilla's young right-back, 18-year-old Antonio Barragan.
"We have almost finished the deal for Reina," said Benitez. "He is the best keeper in Spain.
"We were happy with how Jerzy (Dudek) played in the last part of the season. I have spoken to him and it is important to have more players in the same positions because you increase the competitiveness and the players
will work really hard for their place.
"We also have an agreement with Mark Gonzalez, and he is best player in Chile.
"And we have agree-ment with Sevilla for Antonio Barragan. He is a young right-back for the reserve team and the future.
"We were always talking before the end of last season about what we needed for the future. We are trying to improve the team but we have to do things in the right order."
Salif Diao is expected to become the latest Anfield departure, with the player's agent revealing that the Senegalese midfielder had held "ten-tative discussions" with Middlesbrough.
Jon Otsemobor, who was released by Liverpool at the end of last season, has signed a two-year deal with Coca-Cola League One side Rotherham United.
History drives Zenden's faith in Anfield future Jul 5 2005
By Ian Doyle, Daily Post
IT took just a brief tour of Anfield to convince Boudewijn Zenden he'd made the right decision.
The 28-year-old officially completed his free transfer from Middlesbrough yesterday to become Rafael Benitez's first major signing of the close season.
The Holland international has spent the last four years in England after joining Chelsea from Barcelona in 2001 before moving on to Middlesbrough two years later.
It is such Premiership experience that convinced Benitez to swoop for the versatile midfielder - who can operate in a central position or on the left flank - as he attempts to construct a squad prepared for a championship challenge.
And having been left bewildered by a whistle-stop tour of Liverpool's heritage, Zenden has vowed to leave his own mark in the annals of the club's history.
"The decision was easy to make," said the Dutchman.. "It is a big factor that they are European Champions but the more important thing is the history of the club.
"I've been to the stadium, and everywhere you walk it says history, history, history. I've been in the offices and you see in one corner the name of Keegan, then you see a picture of Dalglish and then you see the amazing record of Ian Rush. It just keeps on going and going.
"I am delighted to be here and hope to write a bit of my own history by helping the team win trophies.
"But I'm not here for nothing. I have my own qualities and everyone has to work for their place and that is what I am going to do."
Having taken the decision not to renew his contract at the Riverside, Zenden soon attracted attention from other clubs with Benfica and Valencia among those courting the player. But once Liverpool declared an interest, the player's mind was made up.
"When Liverpool knocked at the door I was delighted by the interest and from then on it was not that difficult to make a decision," said Zenden.
"If a club like Liverpool wants to reinforce and to make the team stronger and they sign you, then it is a big compliment and I can't wait to get started.
"It will never be easy as it is a fantastic team with fantastic players. The midfield in particular has got quality players. But I am not here to fill in the gaps though. I will do everything I can to gain my place, either in the middle of the park or on the left-hand side.
"I have been here only three days but already the people have been great to me. Everyone is being friendly and trying to sort me out."
Zenden is keen to become Anfield's centre of attraction in midfield Jul 5 2005
Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL new boy Bolo Zenden intends to seal a place in the Reds midfield next season whether Steven Gerrard stays or not.
The Holland international has arrived at Anfield on a free transfer from Middlesbrough with Rafael Benitez emphasising his versatility.
But while Zenden admits his flexibility means he can fill defensive or midfield positions on the left flank, he knows where he wants to play. Straight down the middle.
Red's confirmed topWednesday 22nd June 2005 ANFIELD ONLINE NEWS REDS CONFIRMED AS TOP ENGLISH SIDE Liverpool, the newly crowned Champions of Europe, have been confirmed by UEFA as...
"There are a lot of quality midfield players at Liverpool but I have not just come here to fill in the gaps," said the 28-year-old.
"I have played in the middle with Boro last year and my main strengths are getting into the box and being creative, so I am looking to do a similar job here."
Boro boss Steve McClaren was desperate to keep Zenden at the Riverside but knew he was fighting a losing battle once Liverpool had made their intentions known.
With the European Cup now permanently installed in the Anfield trophy cabinet and Benitez vowing to make the Reds a major force in the Premiership once more, Zenden did not need to think twice about where he should be playing his football next term.
"When the new European champions knock on the door, the decision is quite easy," he said.
"It is not just about what happened last year. Of more importance to me is the history of the club, what it stands for and what it has done over the years.
"They have always challenged for the title and they have always challenged to win trophies. Once you put together the ambitions of the club, the manager and myself, everything clicks into place."
After Liverpool finished a distant fifth to Chelsea last season, Zenden accepts bridging the gap during a single summer may be a task slightly beyond his new team-mates.
But he is adamant the gap can be closed significantly and is already looking forward to an emotional return to the Riverside for Liverpool's opening Premiership clash of the new campaign.
"It is fantastic to have the opportunity to go back so quickly," he said.
"The fans were great to me, and their chairman Steve Gibson even phoned me after I left to thank me for two fantastic years."
