 LIVERPOOL are ready to open discussions with Steven Gerrard over a new contract. Reds' chief executive Rick Parry said today the club shared their skipper's desire to have his future resolved before the start of the season. And he hopes all parties will sit down imminently. "We're not going to put a timescale on talks," said Parry "but, like Steve, we would like the situation resolved sooner rather than later. "We hope to be talking in the very near future." Earlier this week, Gerrard paved the way for an extension to his existing deal by saying: "The ball is in Liverpool's court. "I'm ready to talk and waiting for them to give me the nod where and when myself and my advisers need to be. "I don't know how long those talks will go on. But the sooner they start the better because I want my future sorted out before the start of the season." Real Madrid have been constantly linked with a possible £30m swoop for Gerrard - reports in Spain as recently as yesterday claiming that Madrid were monitoring the situation closely. But Liverpool hope that by tying Gerrard to a new contract the speculation will finally end. The player's agent, Struan Marshall, returns from holiday tomorrow and he could hold preliminary meetings with Parry early next week. The Reds, meanwhile, have completed the deal to permanently off-load El-Hadji Diouf to Bolton Wanderers. The clubs have agreed a complicated appearance-related deal which could see Liverpool recoup a significant portion of the £10.7m they spent on the Senegalese international three years ago. Reds' boss Rafael Benitez is trying to manipulate his resources and still hopes to land Feyenoord target-man Dirk Kuyt during the summer close season. The Dutch club have demanded £10m for the 24-year-old, but Benitez believes the player's real worth is closer to £7-8m. | 
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