Liverpool Football Club captain Steven Gerrard announces at a news conference that he will continue playing for Liverpool next season, June 28, 2004. The announcement ends speculation that the highly regarded midfielder may make a big money move to London club Chelsea owned by Russian business tycoon Roman Abramovich.

　　England midfielder Steven Gerrard dismissed the transfer speculation on Monday by pledging his future to English premier league side Liverpool.

　　The Liverpool captain, who has been linked with a 30-million-pound move to Chelsea, told a press conference that he would stay at Liverpool despite his dissatisfaction with the club's progress in the last two years.

　　"I have gone with the decision that is in my heart and that is to stay with Liverpool," he said.

　　Gerrard has just returned from Portugal where England failed to reach the semifinals of the European championships.

　　"I have been involved in a big tournament and that is the reason I have been really quiet about my future," said Gerrard.

　　But the 24-year-old admitted that he did consider moving to another club for the first time in his career.

　　"I have not been happy with the progression at the club over the last two years," he said.

　　"But after coming home from Euro 2004 and sitting down with my family and also asking chief executive Rick Parry for four meetings in two months and spending all the time with my agent and close family, I have decided that I am staying on with Liverpool Football Club, that I am 100 percent committed to the football club."

　　Liverpool finished fourth in the league last season, 30 points behind champions Arsenal, although they qualified for next season's Champions League.

　　Frenchman Gerard Houllier was dismissed in May with ex-Valencia coach Rafa Benitez taking over early this month.

　　Besides Gerrard, there has been also rife speculation on the future of Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen.

　　But the club remains confident that he would be persuaded to stay, in particular after Gerrard decided not to move elsewhere.

　　"We have always said we are reasonably optimistic about Michaeland I am hopeful this (Gerrard's decision) will help, but we shall see," said Parry.