Source: Team_Talk
Gerrard eager to stay with Liverpool
iverpool captain Steven Gerrard has reaffirmed his commitment to the club - and says he is "very impressed" with manager Roy Hodgson's plans.[LNB] Gerrard - along with Fernando Torres - has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, with Real Madrid said to be among his suitors.[LNB]But after Hodgson revealed the midfielder had played a key role in luring Joe Cole to the club, Gerrard says it will be "fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool".[LNB]He added in the Liverpool Echo: "It is a great signing for us. I know Joe well through the England set-up and have seen first hand just how good a player he is.[LNB]"I've told him what a great club this is and I'm sure Joe's the sort of exciting talent our fans will love to see."[LNB]Of his own future, he said: "I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holiday with my family.[LNB]"I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so, I'm very impressed with his plans for the future."[LNB]News of Gerrard's commitment has been welcomed by Hodgson, who said: "It's a great piece of news.[LNB]"There won't be anyone in Liverpool today who isn't delighted to hear that.[LNB]"I'm really pleased about it because I've got great respect for Steven Gerrard.[LNB]"He's a player who I was really looking forward to working with when I came to Liverpool.[LNB]"It seems now with that commitment that this will happen. It gives everyone a boost without question.[LNB]"It will be a tough season, with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate, but it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club.[LNB]"Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole - and if we are lucky one or two others, to boost the squad - we will be going into this season's competition, maybe stronger on paper than we were last season."
