The Anfield club were dismissive of any such claim, with a spokesman saying: "The idea is complete rubbish, fantasy, there has been no approach and no bid."

Gerrard will lead Liverpool into their final game of the season at Spurs on Sunday with the club already wearily accepting that the summer transfer rumour mill is already in full swing.

Gerrard, speaking to the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv, sees his long-term future at Anfield, with the attempts by Chelsea to sign him now also consigned to the past.

He said: "I cannot see myself ever leaving Liverpool now, and what I would dearly love is to lead this club to the next level that I believe we are capable of reaching.

"I have won trophies here but there is one I am missing and I want that before I finish playing.

"I do not want to look back and say I have never been in a title race. I can see that the team is getting stronger and stronger and I can see that we are going forward. I feel that we are getting closer and I really believe that."

Liverpool's traumatic season comes to an end at Spurs, with fourth place and Champions League qualification already assured.

And Gerrard will watch with interest to see how Liverpool's summer unravels, with boss Rafael Benitez having to operate in the transfer market without too much direction over his transfer kitty and the future from the club's warring rulers.

Gerrard added: "We always say this every year but it will be an important summer because we need to keep the momentum.

"The manager's signings will be important as they always are. I have been lucky as a footballer and I've won more things than most players, but I am greedy because I always want more.

"I want to win as many trophies as I can with Liverpool. That is why the summer is important.

"We are a young team with a lot of promise and if the manager can get the right support then we could take an important step forward.

"We are disappointed we did not maintain a challenge in the league for longer than we did. The points gap between us and the top two is not particularly pleasant viewing for anyone here at Anfield.

"The boss is on record as saying he wants some players and if we get some of the ones he wants, and if they can have the same impact that guys like Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel and Ryan Babel have had...

"Their performances this season have seen us take a step forward. But I think there is a hell of a lot more to come from us."