STEVEN GERRARD has again refused to discuss his future at Liverpool.

Gerrard pledged a fortnight ago during England’s training camp in Austria that he was not prepared to answer questions about his club, preferring instead to focus on the World Cup.

Since then, however, Rafael Benitez has left Anfield by mutual consent and has been installed as the new Inter manager.

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s boyhood hero Kenny Dalglish and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson are among the top candidates to replace Benitez.

Events on Merseyside have fuelled speculation that Gerrard is set to leave Liverpool this summer.

Real Madrid are the favourites to capture the 30-year-old’s signature with odds slashed to 4/1 for him to start the new campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking ahead of England’s Group C opener against the USA in Rustenburg tomorrow, Gerrard was asked about Liverpool but reiterated his desire to talk only about the World Cup.

“I said on the record in Austria I wouldn’t be speaking about matters at Liverpool whilst I was here at the World Cup. That remains the case,” said Gerrard.

“That would be very disrespectful to all the guys here. Now I want people to show me respect.

“I’m two days from a massive day, leading my country into the World Cup and I want to concentrate on that.

“I am focused on the USA game and the USA game only.

“I will speak about Rafael Benitez and Liverpool’s situation after the World Cup.”

Gerrard has admitted that his situation at Liverpool proved a distraction for him at the last World Cup when rumours were again rife that he was set to leave he club, that time for Chelsea.

Now, as he steps up to captain England following Rio Ferdinand’s withdrawal through injury, the midfielder is determined that history will not repeat itself.

He explains how he had mixed feelings about taking on the armband from Ferdinand but believes he has the backing of his teammates to lead them in South Africa.

“I’m honoured to be leading the lads out in a couple of days,” said Gerrard.

“The first I heard of Rio’s injury and that I would be captain, I had mixed emotions.