Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard is shown shouting at his team mates during the Champions League final soccer match against AC Milan at the Ataturk Olympic stadium in Istanbul in this May 25, 2005 file photo. Chelsea have made a British record 32 million pounds ($56.28 million) bid for Gerrard, British newspapers reported on Tuesday, 5 July, 2005. (Reuters)

Six weeks after leading Liverpool to the Champions League title, captain Steven Gerrard could be leaving the club.

Gerrard's agent, Struan Marshall, said Monday that talks with the club had "stalled and were unlikely to be reopened." Gerrard has two years remaining on his current deal and is widely reported to be angry that the club has not reopened contract negotiations.

The England midfielder is reported to be seeking a weekly pay hike from 80,000 pounds ($174,965 Cdn) to 100,000 pounds ($218,800 Cdn).

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said Monday he wanted Gerrard with the club.

"I can assure our fans that we want Steve to stay with us," Benitez said. "After four more years, I would like Steve to be the next assistant coach, the next assistant manager, the next chief scout if he wants - or the next manager if I go.

"We want Steve to stay with us all his life."

News reports said Gerrard, upset with the stalled talks, had an angry exchange with Benitez over the weekend.

Benitez has said he needs at least four top-quality players to improve the club, and money to buy them could come from selling Gerrard.

Gerrard is valued at about 30 million pounds ($65.64 million Cdn) with Real Madrid and Chelsea the two most likely bidders.

In other news, Liverpool announced the signing of four new players including Dutch midfielder Boudewijn Zenden on a free transfer from Middlesbrough.

Zenden has played four seasons in England with Middlesbrough and Chelsea. Previously he was with PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona.

"The ambition from the club, the manager and I click, that's why I think I am in the right place," Zenden said. "I can't wait to get started."

Benitez also said the club had signed goalkeeper Jose Reina from Spain's Villarreal, Mark Gonzalez from Albacete on a season-long loan, and right back Antonio Barragan from Sevilla.

Benitez said he hoped to sign "two or three" more players later this week.

Liverpool plays July 13 in a Champions League qualifier, and Liverpool reportedly wants to decide on Gerrard's future before the competition starts. The Premier League season opens Aug. 13.

(Agencies)