Just bought todays Echo.

[Dhav]

I think that's the reason why Djibs has been loaned to Marseille. It was for Rafa to see if Djibs can still cut it after two broken leg injuries. If he scored lots of goals for Marseille, I think Rafa would consider him in his future plans.

Not a chance in hell.

Like the old saying goes, if we found a buyer I think Rafa would gladly drive Cisse there himself.

[wavydavy]

The one player we need to sign a new deal is Mascherano. Get that guy to sign a 10 year deal and pay him whatever he wants. Tha guy is ****ing awesome!!!

[kurtangle01]

The one player we need to sign a new deal is Mascherano. Get that guy to sign a 10 year deal and pay him whatever he wants. Tha guy is ****ing awesome!!!

He will be a big player for us. I'd expect us to sign him to a long term contract next season.

[wavydavy]

He will be a big player for us. I'd expect us to sign him to a long term contract next season.

I sincerely hope so!!!

[SouthAfricaRed]

Back and front page news. Gerrard, Xabi, Carra and Pepe are all expected to sign new long term deals "by the end of next week."

Foster Gillett and Rick Parry aparently had a series of negotiatons with their agents last week which went very well and the club expect to make an announcement soon.

The article was written by Chris Bascombe.

I would like Rafa the join them in extending his contract

[JohnOK]

I would like Rafa the join them in extending his contract

Very good point, me too.

[kurtangle01]

I would like Rafa the join them in extending his contract

He only signed a new one last year.

[Svennis]

Fantastic news. These are the 4 players we have to build our team around.

Yes, plus Mascherano & Agger will be a core of our future team.

[Jayesh87]

Reds stars set to sign
Apr 14 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


LIVERPOOL hope to tie up the spine of Rafa Benitez’s side on new long-term contracts by the end of next week.

Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have all made progress in negotiations – overseen by Foster Gillett and Rick Parry – over the last few days to renew their terms at the club.

And the Reds hope to conclude talks sooner rather than later as the new owners take their first significant steps to protecting the key elements of Benitez’s squad.

It’s no secret Reina, Gerrard and Carragher will happily renew deals, but there is increasing confidence Alonso will join them, fending off keen interest from La Liga clubs such as Barcelona.

Alonso said last week he expected to wait until the summer before discussing a deal, but Benitez is determined to keep the midfielder who he sees as a pivotal part of his plans and hopes to sort his situation much sooner.


News


Reds stars set to sign

Apr 14 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


LIVERPOOL hope to tie up the spine of Rafa Benitez’s side on new long-term contracts by the end of next week.

Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have all made progress in negotiations – overseen by Foster Gillett and Rick Parry – over the last few days to renew their terms at the club.

And the Reds hope to conclude talks sooner rather than later as the new owners take their first significant steps to protecting the key elements of Benitez’s squad.

It’s no secret Reina, Gerrard and Carragher will happily renew deals, but there is increasing confidence Alonso will join them, fending off keen interest from La Liga clubs such as Barcelona.

Alonso said last week he expected to wait until the summer before discussing a deal, but Benitez is determined to keep the midfielder who he sees as a pivotal part of his plans and hopes to sort his situation much sooner.

Liverpool now hope a series of positive announcements on the contracts of these players will follow imminently.

Benitez recently told owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks that while it’s important to invest in new players, of even greater urgency was safeguarding those already at the club.

Under new UEFA regulations, many players with only two years left on their deals are able to buy themselves out of the remainder of their contracts, significantly reducing their value unless they’re kept on longer-term agreements.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s hopes of selling Djibril Cisse to Marseille for £8m look increasingly forlorn.

Cisse has not been a success on loan in France. He’s due to return to Liverpool for pre-season, unless Benitez can shift him on to someone else.

Cisse was signed for £14m by Gerard Houllier, who is rumoured to be under consideration for the Newcastle United job.

If that comes off, Liverpool will hope he still rates Cisse as highly as he did when he smashed the Anfield transfer record.

Houllier has been linked with a pairing with existing St James’ Park manager Glenn Roeder - who he tried to appoint to the Anfield staff during his final year in charge and used on several scouting missions for Liverpool in 2004.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html