Gerrard talks softens tour blow

Liverpool today signalled they are ready to start talks with Steven Gerrard over a new deal - but there was bad news for the club who confirmed they have abandoned their pre-season tour of Japan due to a clash with Champions League qualifiers.

Gerrard is understood to be a target for Real Madrid but the Liverpool skipper has expressed his readiness to discuss a new contract to stay with the European champions.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry today said both the club and Gerrard were anxious to resolve his future as soon as possible. Talks should begin next week when his agent Struan Marshall returns from holiday.

Parry told the club's official website: "We're not going to put a timescale on talks but, like Steve, we would like the situation resolved sooner rather than later. We hope to be talking in the very near future."

The announcement that the Far East tour has been scrapped confirms what has been widely expected although there were suggestions a reserve Liverpool side could play the matches against Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers.

The dates arranged for those matches - July 27 and 30 - would have clashed with the second qualifying round.

Parry added: "We've explored ways to fulfil our commitment but had to cancel. We would like to express our sincere regret to all Japanese fans who would have enjoyed seeing the matches. We look forward to being able to visit Japan as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been linked again with Feyenoord's 24-year-old striker Dirk Kuyt but the sticking point could be the reported asking price of £10million.