Yossi Benayoun agrees new Liverpool FC deal
Jul 6 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
YOSSI BENAYOUN is set to become the latest Liverpool star to commit his future to the Reds – after the Israeli international agreed terms on a new Anfield contract.
Benayoun has two years remaining on his current deal but after enjoying his best campaign yet in a Liverpool shirt last season, boss Rafa Benitez was keen to reward the 29-year-old with a contract extension.
Talks have now been concluded successfully and Benayoun is set to sign a one-year extension which will see him remain with Liverpool until 2012.
With doubts continuing to surround the futures of central midfield duo Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Benitez will be delighted to have retained the services of Benayoun, who moved to Anfield from West Ham United in a £5m transfer two years ago.
Promising youngsters Stephen Darby and Jay Spearing have also having agreed new three-year deals as Benitez moves swiftly to try and ensure the bulk of his current squad remains intact ahead of the coming season.
Although £16m Glen Johnson remains Liverpool’s one signing so far this summer, Benitez has retained the services of Reds stars Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt with all four having committed themselves to new long term contracts.
Benitez said: “We had to guarantee the future of the club first and then afterwards if you can improve then you must try to do so.
“This meant that the first thing we had to do this summer was to guarantee the futures of some of the players who are already here and we are happy that we have been able to do this in so many cases.”
Liverpool are yet to receive any offers for Alonso or Mascherano but with Real Madrid and Barcelona both having publicly confirmed their interest, it is likely to be only a matter of time before bids are made.
Real remain in the hunt for Alonso as club president Florentino Perez continues his attempts to snap up some of Europe’s finest footballing talent. While Barcelona have made no secret of the fact that they would like to add Mascherano to their ever roster of stars.
Meanwhile, boss Benitez was dividing his time today between Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby and the first team training base at Melwood as the preparations for the coming season get underway.
The majority of the first team squad returned to Melwood yesterday for a series of drills and tests ahead of pre-season trips to Switzerland, the Far East, Spain and Norway.
Glen Johnson will join up with his new team mates for the first time on Wednesday.
He will take part in his first Melwood training session having been allowed an extra few days off, along with skipper Steven Gerrard following their efforts on international duty with England at the end of last season.
The Reds Spanish contingent do not return until July 19 following their involvement in the recently concluded Confederations Cup.
Benitez was at the Academy to welcome the club’s latest batch of youngsters and also to meet with Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish on his first official day since rejoining the Reds.
Jul 6 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
YOSSI BENAYOUN is set to become the latest Liverpool star to commit his future to the Reds – after the Israeli international agreed terms on a new Anfield contract.
Benayoun has two years remaining on his current deal but after enjoying his best campaign yet in a Liverpool shirt last season, boss Rafa Benitez was keen to reward the 29-year-old with a contract extension.
Talks have now been concluded successfully and Benayoun is set to sign a one-year extension which will see him remain with Liverpool until 2012.
With doubts continuing to surround the futures of central midfield duo Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Benitez will be delighted to have retained the services of Benayoun, who moved to Anfield from West Ham United in a £5m transfer two years ago.
Promising youngsters Stephen Darby and Jay Spearing have also having agreed new three-year deals as Benitez moves swiftly to try and ensure the bulk of his current squad remains intact ahead of the coming season.
Although £16m Glen Johnson remains Liverpool’s one signing so far this summer, Benitez has retained the services of Reds stars Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt with all four having committed themselves to new long term contracts.
Benitez said: “We had to guarantee the future of the club first and then afterwards if you can improve then you must try to do so.
“This meant that the first thing we had to do this summer was to guarantee the futures of some of the players who are already here and we are happy that we have been able to do this in so many cases.”
Liverpool are yet to receive any offers for Alonso or Mascherano but with Real Madrid and Barcelona both having publicly confirmed their interest, it is likely to be only a matter of time before bids are made.
Real remain in the hunt for Alonso as club president Florentino Perez continues his attempts to snap up some of Europe’s finest footballing talent. While Barcelona have made no secret of the fact that they would like to add Mascherano to their ever roster of stars.
Meanwhile, boss Benitez was dividing his time today between Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby and the first team training base at Melwood as the preparations for the coming season get underway.
The majority of the first team squad returned to Melwood yesterday for a series of drills and tests ahead of pre-season trips to Switzerland, the Far East, Spain and Norway.
Glen Johnson will join up with his new team mates for the first time on Wednesday.
He will take part in his first Melwood training session having been allowed an extra few days off, along with skipper Steven Gerrard following their efforts on international duty with England at the end of last season.
The Reds Spanish contingent do not return until July 19 following their involvement in the recently concluded Confederations Cup.
Benitez was at the Academy to welcome the club’s latest batch of youngsters and also to meet with Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish on his first official day since rejoining the Reds.
TBF he was very consistent towards the end of last season. Looks like a real class act now.
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