Apr 3, 2009, 16:41 GMT
London - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and striker Dirk Kuyt have agreed to extend their contracts with the English Premier League club.
The 28-year-old Gerrard committed his long-term future to the club by agreeing to extend his contract for a further two years until 2013, while Kuyt also signed on for a further two years.
The agreements announced on Friday are a major boost for the club, who are chasing league and Champions League honours this year, and the news comes hot on the heels of the new five-year deal signed by manager Rafael Benitez last month.
Liverpool said that Gerrard is expected to sign the deal in the next few days and manager Rafael Benitez said he was delighted with the news.
'To have announced new deals for Steven and Dirk on the same day shows how hard everyone is working and that we are moving forward quickly as a club,' Benitez said.
'These are very positive messages and I am very happy.
'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. I still think his best years are ahead of him.'
Gerrard is Liverpool's leading scorer this season with 22 goals in all competitions.
Kuyt, also 28, is now set to stay at Anfield until at least 2012.
'Dirk had one year left on his contract and we were keen for him to stay,' Benitez said. 'He is a player with great quality who has a big part to play in our future. We are delighted to have reached an agreement.'
Liverpool trail league leaders Manchester United (who have a game in hand) by one point. They meet English rivals Chelsea in the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals.
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