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Gerrard talks softens tour blow
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-17 10:51 Liverpool signalled they are
ready to start talks with Steven Gerrard over a new deal - but there was bad
news for the club who confirmed they have abandoned their pre-season tour of
Japan due to a clash with Champions League qualifiers.
Gerrard is understood to be a target for Real Madrid but the Liverpool
skipper has expressed his readiness to discuss a new contract to stay with the
European champions.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry told the club's official website: "We're
not going to put a timescale on talks but, like Steve, we would like the
situation resolved sooner rather than later."
He added: "We hope to be talking in the very near future."
The announcement that the Far East tour has been scrapped confirms what has
been widely expected although there were suggestions a reserve Liverpool side
could play the matches against Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers.
The dates arranged for those matches - July 27 and 30 - would have clashed
with the second qualifying round.
Parry added: "We've explored ways to fulfil our commitment but had to cancel.
We would like to express our sincere regret to all Japanese fans who would have
enjoyed seeing the matches. We look forward to being able to visit Japan as soon
as possible."
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been linked again with
Feyenoord's 24-year-old striker Dirk Kuyt but the sticking point could be the
reported asking price of ￡10million.
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