Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pledged his full support to Roberto Martinez should he be appointed manager at Anfield - although the move still remains open to question.
On Friday Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claimed the Spaniard had received an offer from the Reds' principal owner John Henry after their meeting in Miami on Thursday. However, doubts remain over Whelan's interpretation of the situation, with Liverpool refusing to comment and the general belief being no formal offer has been made.
Gerrard, preparing for Saturday's England friendly against Norway, said: "We'll have to wait and see. My focus has been on the game. I'm aware Roberto Martinez has been talking to the club but all I've heard about him is positive. If he is going to be the manager he's got my full support."
The midfielder was a big supporter of sacked boss Kenny Dalglish but he cautiously welcomed the idea of the 38-year-old Spaniard taking over.
Throughout the process Whelan has insisted it was not a foregone conclusion he would lose his manager to the club's North West rivals, and he claims there are still some issues - mainly surrounding working under a technical director - to be overcome before Martinez would be in a position to accept.
"He went to Miami and had a very constructive meeting with the owner of Liverpool," the Latics chairman told Sky Sports News. "They're going to talk again on Tuesday. They've made Roberto an offer and he has agreed to consider it.
"He's said, 'What are my responsibilities?' These are American owners and the rules and regulations are a bit different from what we English set down. Roberto is a seven-days-a-week, 12-hours-a-day worker and I don't know whether they realise how hard he works.
"He has rules and regulations to be fully in charge of football and I know he won't move anywhere unless he is fully in charge of the football. I think he'll give it fair consideration. Hopefully he stays with us but wherever he goes, he's 100% dedicated to that football club."
The process of finding a replacement for Dalglish is due to pick up pace next week with Henry and chairman Tom Werner likely to travel to England having drawn up a short-list.
Ex-Porto and Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has apparently dropped out of the reckoning but it has been reported the Reds have not ruled out a second approach for Swansea's Brendan Rodgers after he declined their initial invitation to open preliminary talks.
Source: PA
