Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is ready to stay at Anfield. The Sunday Mirror says Reds chiefs are confident Gerrard will reject Jose Mourinho for a fourth time following Rafa Benitez's Anfield exit.

Gerrard, 30, has said that he will decide his future after the World Cup ­following a season of bitter disappointment for the Reds.

And new Real Madrid boss Mourinho has already made the Liverpool captain his No.1 target.

He came close to landing the midfielder three times in his Chelsea reign.

A top Kop source said Benitez had "lost the team's leaders, but now they'll stay", this will include both Gerrard and Fernando Torres.