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04-03-2009, 03:27 PM
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has agreed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at Anfield until 2013.
The 28-year-old is yet to sign the new agreement, but is expected to sign in the next few days.
The news will be a further boost for Liverpool fans after manager Rafael Benitez signed a new five-year deal last month.
"This is fantastic news for the club," Benitez told the club's website.
"Steven has once again shown his commitment and it was an easy deal to agree. As soon as we offered him the option he said yes.
"There were no problems at all. He wants to stay for life.
"This deal sends out another clear message that we are moving forward as a club. To know we have a player of Steven's quality with us for many more years is a great boost for the club and the fans.
"He is clearly a player who inspires those around him and even though he is playing very well at the moment, I still think his best years are ahead of him."
Gerrard has been instrumental in recent weeks in Liverpool's bid to end their 19-year wait for a league title and is the club's top scorer this season with 22 goals in all competitions.
They have moved to within a point of Manchester United after an impressive 4-1 victory at Old Trafford last month, which was followed by an equally emphatic win as Gerrard scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at Anfield.
Victory away at Fulham on Saturday would see them move to the top of the Premier League, albeit possibly only for 24 hours as Manchester United host Villa on Sunday.
Since signing his new deal, Benitez has been quick to tie down other members of his backroom team.
Assistant boss Sammy Lee and first team coach Mauricio Pellegrino agreed extensions of at least two years, while goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero, fitness coach Paco de Miguel and chief scout Eduardo Macia have also re-signed.
BBC SPORT
The 28-year-old is yet to sign the new agreement, but is expected to sign in the next few days.
The news will be a further boost for Liverpool fans after manager Rafael Benitez signed a new five-year deal last month.
"This is fantastic news for the club," Benitez told the club's website.
"Steven has once again shown his commitment and it was an easy deal to agree. As soon as we offered him the option he said yes.
"There were no problems at all. He wants to stay for life.
"This deal sends out another clear message that we are moving forward as a club. To know we have a player of Steven's quality with us for many more years is a great boost for the club and the fans.
"He is clearly a player who inspires those around him and even though he is playing very well at the moment, I still think his best years are ahead of him."
Gerrard has been instrumental in recent weeks in Liverpool's bid to end their 19-year wait for a league title and is the club's top scorer this season with 22 goals in all competitions.
They have moved to within a point of Manchester United after an impressive 4-1 victory at Old Trafford last month, which was followed by an equally emphatic win as Gerrard scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at Anfield.
Victory away at Fulham on Saturday would see them move to the top of the Premier League, albeit possibly only for 24 hours as Manchester United host Villa on Sunday.
Since signing his new deal, Benitez has been quick to tie down other members of his backroom team.
Assistant boss Sammy Lee and first team coach Mauricio Pellegrino agreed extensions of at least two years, while goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero, fitness coach Paco de Miguel and chief scout Eduardo Macia have also re-signed.
BBC SPORT