Gerrard and Carragher ready to sign contract extensions

STEVEN GERRARD will begin a charm offensive with Liverpool fans tomorrow when he parades the European Cup before a friendly against Wrexham.

Gerrard and his fellow England international Jamie Carragher are expected to sign their contract extensions tomorrow, only three days after the club captain completed a remarkable u-turn on his decision to quit Anfield.

And, with the Reds reported to be deadlocked with Real Madrid over a possible move for Luis Figo, the club and their inspirational midfielder will put on a united show in the build-up to their Champions League qualifier against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions next Wednesday.

Gerrard, whose initial decision to depart deeply upset fans, is expected to start Saturday’s friendly at the Racecourse, which will also stage the second leg of the Reds’ tie against TNS on July 19.

Wrexham’s acting chief executive Cliff Finch said: “Gerrard’s decision to stay at Liverpool is a huge boost for them and we are delighted that our fans will have the chance to see him in action on Saturday. It promises to be a big day for all concerned.”The Premiership club are reported to have agreed personal terms with Figo but there are reports any move for the Portuguese international, 32, has been thrown into doubt after Real asked for a £2 million transfer fee.

It follows reports which said Liverpool’s £2 million bid for the veteran star had been accepted by the Madrid giants.

Figo cost £37 million when he signed from arch rivals Barcelona in August 2000.

Meanwhile Carragher and Gerrard are expected to put pen to paper before the end of the week.

Carragher, aged 27, is expected to sign a two-year extension to his current deal at Anfield, which has two years remaining on it - which, like Gerrard, is designed to keep him at the club until 2009.

“We have been talking with Jamie Carragher and we expect the contract to be signed before the end of the week,” said Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry.

He was outstanding for us last season and is clearly a big part of our plans,” he said.

Parry also confirmed experienced German midfielder Dietmar Hamann has signed the one-year extension to his contract, while defender Djimi Traore has penned “a long-term deal.”