Parry confident of Gerrard solution

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is confident Steven Gerrard will lead the side out when they begin the defence of their Champions League title at Welsh side TNS.

UEFA's decision to allow the holders into the competition despite finishing fifth in the Barclays Premiership was tempered by the fact they had to begin in the first qualifying round.

That is just over a fortnight away but with speculation still circulating about Gerrard's future Parry was keen to stress he believed the England midfielder would commit himself to the club by signing a new contract.

"We want Steven to stay, there is no cause for concern on our part. There is no delay [on his contract]," the Reds chief, who was at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, for today's Champions League draw. "We have always said we hope Steven will be with us. We want to win trophies,

Steven wants to win trophies and I think captaining us to the European Cup was a pretty good step in the right direction and nothing has changed since then."

Liverpool have also been linked with a number of close-season signings and although none have materialised yet, Parry said there was no panic about rushing things through to meet Champions League deadlines.

"We are quite happy and we will be making announcements in good time for the season," he said.

"There is no immediate pressure, the announcements will be made when we're

good and ready."