Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun offered contract extension• Yossi Benayoun's goalscoring form reaps dividends
• Rafael Benítez backs Israeli as key when Gerrard is absent
Digg it Andy Hunter guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 29 April 2009 00.05 BST Article history
Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun battles it out with George Boateng of Hull. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Liverpool are to offer Yossi Benayoun a new contract extension at Anfield in recognition of the Israel captain's emergence as an influential part of their title-chasing squad this season.
The 28-year-old has more than two years remaining on his current deal and had given serious consideration to leaving the club earlier this season because of a lack of first-team opportunities. However, the midfielder is enjoying the finest spell of his two-year Anfield career and has helped Liverpool maintain the pressure on Manchester United, in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, and will be approached with a contract extension at the end of this season.
"Every player wants to play all the time, but I think Yossi is perfectly happy here, and if so then he will be fine. Obviously he will be happier and more confident at getting more games," said the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez. "We haven't had any approaches for him, but I will be talking to him about a new deal. He is already under contract for another two years anyway, but has done really well for us, so we will see."
Benayoun was the subject of interest from Manchester City last summer but, despite a frustrating start to the campaign, has responded with a consistent run of form and six goals in the second half of the season, which have proven invaluable in Liverpool's recovery in the title race.
Benítez added: "Benayoun had already shown he was becoming a key player for us, but since Stevie has been injured he has had the chance to play more games, and you can see the confidence that has given him. We have always known what quality he has, but now everyone has seen it too, and he's done really well.
"We have a few players who are performing well, which proves our squad is stronger, with more quality than before. Obviously, we would always like to have Gerrard and [Fernando] Torres available all the time – it's always going to be easier with those two in any team. But there will be times when we are without them, and when that happens players like Benayoun – as well as others such as Dirk Kuyt – have played a big part in our success."
Everton's unfortunate defender Phil Jagielka will undergo surgery tomorrow on the anterior cruciate ligament he ruptured against Manchester City on Saturday and that has cost him a place in the FA Cup final. The England international was expected to go under the knife next week but the procedure has been brought forward in an attempt to hasten his recovery. Jagielka is expected to be out for six months.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...ract-extension
• Rafael Benítez backs Israeli as key when Gerrard is absent
Digg it Andy Hunter guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 29 April 2009 00.05 BST Article history
Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun battles it out with George Boateng of Hull. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Liverpool are to offer Yossi Benayoun a new contract extension at Anfield in recognition of the Israel captain's emergence as an influential part of their title-chasing squad this season.
The 28-year-old has more than two years remaining on his current deal and had given serious consideration to leaving the club earlier this season because of a lack of first-team opportunities. However, the midfielder is enjoying the finest spell of his two-year Anfield career and has helped Liverpool maintain the pressure on Manchester United, in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, and will be approached with a contract extension at the end of this season.
"Every player wants to play all the time, but I think Yossi is perfectly happy here, and if so then he will be fine. Obviously he will be happier and more confident at getting more games," said the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez. "We haven't had any approaches for him, but I will be talking to him about a new deal. He is already under contract for another two years anyway, but has done really well for us, so we will see."
Benayoun was the subject of interest from Manchester City last summer but, despite a frustrating start to the campaign, has responded with a consistent run of form and six goals in the second half of the season, which have proven invaluable in Liverpool's recovery in the title race.
Benítez added: "Benayoun had already shown he was becoming a key player for us, but since Stevie has been injured he has had the chance to play more games, and you can see the confidence that has given him. We have always known what quality he has, but now everyone has seen it too, and he's done really well.
"We have a few players who are performing well, which proves our squad is stronger, with more quality than before. Obviously, we would always like to have Gerrard and [Fernando] Torres available all the time – it's always going to be easier with those two in any team. But there will be times when we are without them, and when that happens players like Benayoun – as well as others such as Dirk Kuyt – have played a big part in our success."
Everton's unfortunate defender Phil Jagielka will undergo surgery tomorrow on the anterior cruciate ligament he ruptured against Manchester City on Saturday and that has cost him a place in the FA Cup final. The England international was expected to go under the knife next week but the procedure has been brought forward in an attempt to hasten his recovery. Jagielka is expected to be out for six months.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...ract-extension
) that I feel sorry for Jagielka. Seems like a decent bloke and has had an excellent season, but will now miss the biggest game of his career.
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