Gerrard eager to stay

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has intimated he intends to stay at the club after admitting he is impressed with manager Roy Hodgson's plans and believes it "will be fantastic" to play alongside new signing Joe Cole. The England midfielder, who has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid, welcomed the arrival of his international team-mate after the former Chelsea star agreed a four-year deal on Monday. And having kept silent on his thoughts on the appointment of Hodgson and his future because of his captaincy duties at the World Cup Gerrard has now spoken out. "I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so, I'm very impressed with his plans for the future," said Gerrard. "I know Joe well through the England set-up so it will be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool."