Rafael Benitez wants new contracts sorted out for his top stars
before the end of the current season.
The Liverpool boss is aware of interest in Anfield's finest
performers and has already discussed the situation with new owners
George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
Top of Benitez's list are skipper Steven Gerrard, Spanish
midfielder Xabi Alonso and key defender Jamie Carragher.
It was initially believed that Benitez saw solving the contract
problems as a major job for the summer to be completed by the
beginning of next season.
But now the Reds chief has indicated he wants players to sign on
the dotted line before the current campaign is concluded, which
Liverpool fans hope will be in a Champions League final in Athens
on May 23.
It is the urgency on Benitez's part to complete the deals that is
something of a surprise.
The Spaniard clearly wants the current squad satisfied before he
starts his summer spending spree, having been promised substantial
funds by the new owners although his only words on the subject at
present are: 'We are talking now to the players.'
But now the 47-year-old is in a hurry to make sure Gerrard and
Carragher - the local boys at the heart of his side - are tied down
to new deals sooner rather than later.
Under FIFA rules, players can buy themselves out of the final year
of their contracts, and that could see Alonso being free to leave
in the summer and Gerrard and Carragher in the next two
years.
Other players are also likely to be involved in new discussions,
including goalkeeper Jose Reina.
Reina said today in a Liverpool Echo interview: 'We will be
speaking to the new owners over the next few days, but I've said
many times now I'm really happy at Liverpool and I want to extend
my contract.
'The key for any growing team is not only to improve with new
players, but also to make sure the key players and the spine of the
side stays together. Then you can build an even stronger team
around this. That spine is here at Liverpool.
'The project will be to build a team which is massive and can win
many things. The new owners have said before they make transfers
they first of all want to prepare new deals.
'Then I'm sure they will think about the summer. At this moment,
the future looks brilliant. I've not met the owners yet, but I'm
sure it will happen soon.'
Benitez is also preparing his summer shopping list, and
significantly he did not rule out a move for Barcelona striker
Samuel Eto'o, who this week has gone on record as saying he would
love to play alongside Gerrard.
Benitez's reaction was: 'Samuel is very clever, normally everyone
wants to play alongside Steven (Gerrard) or Xabi (Alonso). But we
can talk about players in the next few months.
'But Samuel Eto'o is a good player, and so is Stevie. It would be
normal they would want to play together. But it is just
speculation, at the moment it means nothing.'
Benitez has revealed that Fabio Aurelio's operation to repair his
damaged Achilles tendon took place yesterday and was a success. He
is expected back in action for pre-season training.
