Gerrard Too Much For Juve

Juventus coach Didier Deschamps has revealed his admiration for Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, but claims the England international is too pricey for the Bianconeri.

Should Juventus, as is highly likely, claim promotion back into Serie A, Deschamps will want to strengthen his squad to deal with the rigours of the top flight and Gerrard was thought to be an ideal candidate for the Turin club.

But the Frenchan ruled out a possible move for the dynamic midfielder: "Gerrard is a really good player, but he costs too much for us," he said.

Deschamps also underlined his faith in World Cup winning goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, who has been linked with a move away from Turin ever since the start of the season.

"Buffon? I wouldn't swap him, not even for Steven Gerrard," he added.

Meanwhile Deschamps has claimed the rumours surrounding his future do not bother him. Former Italy coach Marcelo Lippi's has been mentioned in the same breath as the Bianconeri job, but the former Juventus player insists his job is safe.

Deschamps took over the reigns in Turin after Fabio Capello moved to Real Madrid in the wake of the club's relegation to Serie B last summer and has steered the Old Lady back to the brink of the top flight, where he expects to be come next season.

"Speculation about Lippi doesn't worry me," the Frenchman said. "I'm looking to be Juve coach in Serie A and I've never had any signals otherwise."

Juve are currently two points clear at the top of the table and odds-on to bounce straight back into Serie A after the Calciopoli sanctions hit the club hard.