LFC contract deals

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Gerrard set for massive new deal

Liverpool are set to celebrate reaching the Champions League final by making captain Steven Gerrard the highest-paid player in the Premiership.

Gerrard almost left Anfield in the summers of 2004 and 2005 and he will be offered a lucrative new deal to avoid a similar episode this year.

According to newspaper reports on Friday Liverpool's new American owners are prepared to pay the midfielder £120,000-a-week - £6million-a-year.

Gerrard still has two years to run on his current deal but the new contract will ensure the 26-year-old spends the rest of his career at his hometown club.

Owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have also pledged to boss Rafael Benitez that Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso will be offered attractive new deals to secure their futures.

Source: metro.co.uk


Steven Gerrard stays in Liverpool

[Mighty T.A.L.]

New deal for Agger

Daniel Agger is set to be rewarded with a new contract by Liverpool.

Boss Rafael Benitez is keen to tie Agger down to Anfield in light of the defender's impressive first full season, in which he has earned comparison with Reds legend Alan Hansen.

Agger, 22, has deposed stalwart Sami Hyypia as Jamie Carragher's regular centre-back partner and his goal against Chelsea helped take Liverpool through to their second Champions League Final in three years.

The Danish international has two-and-a-half years left on the £30,000-a-week contract he signed in January, 2006, when he joined Liverpool from Brondby for £5.8million. The Reds are prepared to give him a new four-year deal, which would include an annual £5,000-a-week pay rise.

Liverpool plan to begin talks after the Champions League Final and hope to shake hands with Agger before the players return for pre-season training in July.

Agger is thrilled by the prospect of playing against AC Milan in Athens and insists the Merseysiders can repeat their epic triumph of two years ago.

"This is by far the biggest thing I've ever been involved in in my career," he said. "I won't know how big it is until I run out on to the pitch in Athens for the first time. I'm really excited by this game and normally I am very calm and collected.

"Of course we can win the Champions League again. We have to believe that we can do it and if we didn't believe it, we would not have got past Barcelona and Chelsea and to the Final.

"It has just been such a great couple of days. After the game we went into town and got back rather late. We painted the town red and I just hope we are celebrating again in Athens."

Liverpool must find a way of stopping Kaka, the brilliant Brazilian who destroyed Manchester United in the semifinal, but Agger said: "We play against top-quality players every week, so I don't fear him."

Source: The Mirror

[Trim]

Good players, deserved new contracts.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reina, Carragher, Garcia, Finnan and Alonso can also expect better terms.

[Buddha14]

i heard harry was back playing is that true Mr TAL

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Yes, Harry Kewell played 35 minutes for the reserve team and he did well.Hopefully we can get him 100% fit to the Champions League final.I think he wants to revenge the final in 2005 when he had to give up early in the match with a injury.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Gerrard reveals Reds talks

Steven Gerrard admits he has 'never been happier' after starting talks over a new contract at Liverpool.

The Reds captain, who came close to leaving Anfield two years ago, is set to commit his long-term future to the UEFA Champions League finalists.

New owner Tom Hicks has expressed his desire to see the talismanic midfielder sign an extended contract on Merseyside.

And his wish is likely to come true after Gerrard confirmed he is discussing a new deal with his only club.

"Tom Hicks has said he cannot see me playing for another club, and yes, I'm in talks to extend my contract at Liverpool and I've never been happier with my football," Gerrard told the club's official website.

"I'd love nothing better than to get this contract sorted and signed, so I can understand where he's coming from.

"We need to keep all of our big players here, so it's very important we get the contracts sorted out so they can be here for a long time."

Gerrard also revealed he was surprised that Liverpool will meet Milan in the Champions League final again, rather than Premiership rivals Manchester United.

He added: "I'm confident we can go to Athens and bring the cup back home.

"But Milan are a fantastic team and we know it's going to be really difficult, so we need to be right at the top of our game.

"I was really surprised actually that they won their semi-final because I had confidence that Manchester United would get the result they required.

"I thought it was going to be a Liverpool-Manchester United final, but credit to Milan because they were excellent on the night and deserved to win the game."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Gerrard: I was right to stay

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool's success in Europe has vindicated his decision to stay at Anfield.

The England international came close to leaving his boyhood club for Chelsea two years ago before a last-minute change of heart saw him stay on Merseyside.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho accused Gerrard of lacking ambition for snubbing the move to Stamford Bridge.

But Gerrard feels Liverpool's victory over Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League semi-final meeting proved he was right to reject the overtures of Chelsea and remain at Anfield.

"I always knew I made the right decision," Gerrard told the News of the World.

"Obviously a few people questioned that at the time. But I have been at this club since I was eight.

"I knew where I was welcome, I knew where I wanted to play my football.

"Luckily for me, everything's turned out right."

Gerrard is in talks with Liverpool over a new contract and the midfield dynamo envisages no problems with the negotiations.

"I am ready to sign a new contract," added Gerrard. "I am in talks now with Liverpool.

"As soon as they give me the nod it will be signed."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Pepe Reina is demanding a huge pay-hike to stay with Liverpool.

Described by manager Rafa Benitez as the best goalkeeper in the world yesterday, Reina is demanding a two-year deal worth £8 million to stay at Anfield, says the News of the World.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rafa hopeful on deals

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hoping to have Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher's futures resolved this week.

The Reds are currently in negotiations with the experience duo with a view to securing their services on new long-term deals.

Both players have two years left on their existing deals having penned four-year contracts back in July 2005.

Benitez is preparing his side for their Premiership outing against Charlton and UEFA Champions League final clash with Milan, and hopes their contracts will be resolved soon.

"I hope it may be done this week, but we are talking and we are sure it will be done soon," he said.

Liverpool are set to head for a training camp in Spain following their Addicks clash in a bid to adjust to warmer temperatures ahead of their final against Milan in Athens.

"We still have to finalise the details, but it is likely we will go away for five days to prepare after we play Charlton," he continued.

"When we did this before the Barcelona game it had a positive impact, although I know people talked about other things in the end.

"The most positive thing is we can work together in a climate and in conditions which will be more like those we will face in the final."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Fowler confirms Liverpool exit

Robbie Fowler has confirmed that his contract at Liverpool will not be extended beyond this season.

The striker's deal runs out in the summer and he has been told by manager Rafael Benitez that he is free to leave the club.

Fowler will play against Charlton Athletic on Sunday in his last match at Anfield in a red shirt, and could also feature in the Champions League final in Athens on May 23.

He said: “Obviously it will be an emotional day for me but I want everyone to know I am still completely focused on what I see as two very important games ahead for the club.

“Firstly I want to play well and win against Charlton to help us finish third, and then there is the preparation for and hopefully playing a part in the Champions League final.

“I will think about everything else after that because I don't want anything to interfere with such an important match.

“I also want people to know I have not even thought about my future beyond Liverpool.

“The manager explained the situation to me this week and I wasn't a bit surprised to be honest.

“But everyone knows I've treated every game back at Liverpool in exactly the same way and given all I could for the team, and that's going to be the case in the last two matches as well.”

Fowler, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, said: “At least this time I will get a chance to say goodbye properly because I was gutted the way it happened last time.”

Fowler first left Anfield under a cloud to join Leeds United when Gerard Houllier was manager.

He added: “Since I've been back the support I have had from the fans has been tremendous, it's been even better than it was first time around.

“Maybe you appreciate it even more when you've been away and missed it so much, but I'll never forget the reception they gave me and will always be thankful for it.

“I just hope I can finish with a few goals and a Champions League final win. That will be the perfect way to end the season for me.”

Source: premierleague.com

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Kewell wants to stay at Liverpool for life

Harry Kewell, the Liverpool midfielder, says he would like to spend the rest of his career at Anfield.

The Australian international winger, 28, has endured another injury-ravaged campaign, making just his first appearance of the season for the Champions League finalists last weekend when he came off the bench against Fulham.

Kewell followed that up by scoring from the penalty spot to earn a 2-2 draw with Charlton in yesterday’s final Barclays Premiership game of the season and is now desperate to put his fitness woes behind him.

His current deal expires at the end of next season and he is ready to commit himself to the Anfield club for the remainder of his playing days.

“If it came around that I had to sign another contract for another five [seasons], for the rest of my life then I will, because it’s a fantastic club,” he said.

Meanwhile Kewell, who is battling for a place in the Champions League final squad against AC Milan, has also expressed his desire to play for his country in their Asian Cup campaign in July.

He is targeting a friendly against Uruguay on June 2 before securing a place in the Asian Cup squad when the tournament kicks off in July.

“I’ve rested for 11 months. I just want to start playing football, competitive games and get back into the action again," he said.

"I’ve missed that and if everything goes well and Liverpool give me the go ahead, I would love to play in the Asian Cup with Australia, because I think it’s a great opportunity.”

Source: The Times

That would be great.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Gerrard: I'm ready to sign new Liverpool contract

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is on the verge of signing a new contract with the club.

The 26-year-old has two years left on his current deal but the Anfield club are keen to sign him on a new four-year contract.

New owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are also willing to sanction a £120,000 weekly wage for the England midfielder.

Gerrard confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with the club and insisted he was ready to put pen to paper as soon as possible.

He said: "Talks are progressing and I am ready to sign a new contract any time now.

"It's just around the corner.

"I am not sure when it will be done but I am ready to sign. As soon as the contract is put in front of me, I will sign it."

The news will delight Liverpool supporters, who have faced at least two anxious summers sweating over the future of their skipper in recent years.

For Gerrard, it provides the chance to launch a genuine title challenge with the Reds - something he admits the Reds have again failed to do this season.

He said: "We can't escape the fact that, in the league, this season we haven't been good enough.

"You ask the manager, or me, or indeed any of the players in our dressing room and they will all say exactly the same thing."

A second Champions League final appearance in three years reflects well on the strides being made under Rafael Benitez, but Gerrard insists the side crave domestic success.

"We had bigger ambitions for this season than the Champions League. We always had one eye on Europe because it is so prestigious and a tournament that has always served us well, but we also wanted the league flag flying back at Anfield and felt we were in a good position to have a real go.

"The league is always your bread and butter as a Liverpool player and we're not far away," he added.

"With investment in the summer, and the squad here staying together we can promise to push Chelsea and United all the way next year."

Steven Gerrard

Source: The Daily Mail

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Finnan keen to extend Liverpool stay

Ireland defender Steve Finnan is keen to sign a new contract at Liverpool after next week's Champions League final.

The right back is one of five players manager Rafael Benitez has offered new deals to.

"I'm very happy here and want to stay here as long as I can," Finnan told reporters.

"Hopefully I can finish my career here and we can sort out a contract. First things first, we have got to get the final out of the way and then we will see what happens.

"But there is no doubt that I want to stay here. The club has come on a lot in the past three years."

Liverpool, who play AC Milan in the Champions League final in Athens on Wednesday, have reportedly been interested in signing a new right back for the past two seasons but Finnan is happy to have competition for his place.

"We are linked with players a lot and not just in my position," he added.

"With the takeover and the club now having money, I'm sure we will be linked with someone like Daniel Alves (of Sevilla) again.

"All you can do is concentrate on your own job and do the best that you can."

Source: guardian.co.uk