Football: Liverpool insist Gerrard not for sale at any price

The LIVERPOOL chief executive, Rick Parry, believes an offer for the England midfielder Steven Gerrard could be made in the summer but says even a bid of pounds 50m would be turned down.

Parry claimed yesterday that Real Madrid had asked for an option to sign Gerrard when Liverpool closed the deal for Fernando Morientes in last month's transfer window. Parry also denied that Chelsea made an offer last summer - although the Premiership leaders are expected to test Liverpool's resolve with a pounds 30m bid for the 24-year-old in the summer.

"We want Steven to stay," Parry said. "You are not going to keep a player like Steven against his will but any idea we are going to accept offers for Steven is not on the agenda.

"Steven is above money. He is the future of Liverpool. It does not matter if it's pounds 30m, pounds 40m or pounds 50m, we will not accept offers."

Gerrard's Liverpool team-mate Harry Kewell has suffered a setback in his attempt to regain fitness. Kewell is struggling to recover from Achilles tendinitis and he is unlikely to return to the first team until next month.

Kewell's agent, Bernie Mandic, confirmed the 26-year-old Australian's frustration. "Harry's had scans which don't show anything substantial but despite his best efforts he simply can't shake off the discomfort and get back on the park."