Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has voiced confidence he can keep his most valuable asset, England midfielder Steven Gerrard, at the club for the peak years of his career.

Shrugging aside fresh speculation that Gerrard could be on his way to Chelsea in the summer, Benitez insisted that Liverpool were laying the foundations for the success which will keep Gerrard in his hometown.

"Always when you are manager of a team you think your players are the best in the world. And Steven is the best in the world for me," the Spaniard said.

"He is a very good player but I still think he can be better. If he continues to work like he is now, he will be better.

"And I am sure that at the end of his contract here, even 10 years from now, I think he will be a better player and still be here. I am confident that he will be here for 10 years."

He added: "Steven is a Liverpool supporter, a good professional, a good player, he trains very well and is working hard.

"He is scoring goals for us and the most important thing is that he wants to win with Liverpool, so we both have the same idea."

Benitez’s bullish assessment of the prospects of Liverpool hanging on to Gerrard came after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reiterated his admiration for the midfielder.

Chelsea came close to signing the 24-year-old in the summer before Gerrard finally agreed to sign a new long-term contract at Anfield.

But speculation over his future was reignited earlier this week by a warning from Gerrard that he would be ready to leave his hometown club if they do not quickly emerge as a side capable of challenging for major honours.

"Liverpool is lucky to have such a fantastic player," Mourinho said.

But when asked if that meant he would consider a bid in January, he replied: "No. In January, as long as we don’t have any big injuries, the market can be open but it is closed for us."

Mourinho declined however to rule out coming back with a fresh bid to secure Gerrard's services next summer, saying it was too early to speculate on what might happen then.

Chelsea would have to break the British transfer record to sign Gerrard and they would almost certainly face competition from Manchester United, whose manager Alex Ferguson is an equally enthusiastic admirer of the player.

Liverpool, chief executive Rick Parry insisted that Gerrard would

not be sold. "We have no intention of letting him go, ever," Parry said. "And I mean ever. We have no intention of selling him under any circumstances."

Gerrard’s value has been boosted by the inspirational performance which led Liverpool to a famous victory over Olympiakos in midweek, booking their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Parry has already spoken to Gerrard about his pre-game statements and believes the club, player and Benitez are all pulling in the same direction.

"What Stevie said the other day merely reflects the same sentiments that both he and I expressed after all the speculation about Chelsea last summer," added Parry.

"His ambition and hunger for success is exactly the same as mine and Rafa’s. I have spoken to Stevie about the way things are developing and I understand and totally respect what he wants from his career.

"He wants to win the game's top honours and if we can deliver that, I am convinced he will remain a Liverpool player.

"The manager has a record that no one in Europe can better over the past three years. What did he come to Anfield for? It wasn't with the aim. of finishing fourth."