Gerrard won't be made to stay

Rick Parry admits he will not keep Steven Gerrard at Liverpool against his will.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has confirmed Real Madrid asked for an option to sign Steven Gerrard and admitted he would not stand in the midfielder's way, if he asked to leave Anfield.

Gerrard has been the shining light in a season of frustration for the Merseyside giants, leading the club to the Carling Cup final with some dynamic displays.

With Liverpool struggling in The Premiership, there are fears the club have left it too late to reach a UEFA Champions League place.

With Gerrard determined to secure honours and eager to operate on the highest stage, reports suggest he could leave Anfield in the summer if Liverpool fail to match his ambitions.

Chelsea have long been linked with a move for the England international, but they could face competition from Madrid.

Parry claims Real asked for an option on Gerrard when negotiating the sale of Fernando Morientes, but says he had no hesitation in rejecting their advances.

"Steve is above money," he told Radio Five Live. "He is the future of Liverpool.

"It doesn't matter if it's £30 million, £40 million or £50 million, we will not accept offers."

Parry, though, conceded that the decision on whether Gerrard remains with his hometown club boils down to whether the midfield star wants to stay.

"Our position is we want Steven to stay, but we are also realistic enough and have enough respect for Steven - and he has enough respect for us - to know that it is his decision that will be crucial," added Parry.

"You are not going to keep a player like Steven against his will. That just doesn't work, but any idea we are going to accept offers for Steven and then tell him 'by the way, we've decided to sell you' is not on the agenda. You can forget that."

Parry also revealed that he would consider a sponsorship deal for Liverpool's proposed new stadium.

"I have to say historically it is something I have been against, and I have been on record as saying that, but I think the size of the Arsenal deal is a real eye-opener," he said.

"I would say, in the past, deals have been done far too cheaply and it just hasn't even been worth contemplating.

"But the Arsenal deal is the sort of deal that causes you to draw breath and say 'wow - that's interesting.'

"My personal point of view is that I would find it a hell of a lot more palatable than a shared stadium."