Liverpool heroes offered new deals

Paul Walker

Full-back Djimi Traore, German midfielder Dietmar Hamann and skipper Steven Gerrard, who has already stated he will stay at Anfield, are expected to have signed new deals before the squad return for pre-season training on June 27.

A Liverpool source confirmed the list of contract discussions and added on defender Carragher: "He has two years left on his current contract but we will hold discussions with him next season.

"There is no great hurry on that one because he has no intention of leaving us, but there will certainly be a new contract for him on the table."

The deal for 27-year-old Carragher could virtually ensure he finishes his top-flight playing career at Anfield.

But Rafael Benitez has decided not to extend the stay of former Valencia defender Mauricio Pellegrino.

The big Argentinian arrived at Anfield on a six-month deal in the January transfer window, when he was already cup tied in Europe. His form has always looked shaky and the 33-year-old played just 12 games for the club in which his lack of pace was always a worrying consideration.

Benitez always felt that he needed central defensive cover for the over-worked Carragher and Sami Hyypia and he will now certainly buy another centre-back to bolster his squad. That is likely to be Real Zaragoza star Gabriel Milito for £6million.

Hamann is on the verge of signing a one-year extension to his contract that ends this summer despite the continued interest of Hamburg.

But the real surprise in Benitez's early planning for next season is the prospect of Traore being offered a new four-year deal.

Traore has improved considerably under Benitez's guidance and his height and pace have made him a key part of Liverpool's defence, being able to play-full back or central defence.

He played in both roles during the Champions League Final triumph over AC Milan.

Frenchman Traore almost joined Everton last summer, only for Benitez to pull the plug on the deal at the last moment.

The Goodison Park club have again been linked with the 25-year-old from Laval, who has one year left on his current Anfield deal.

Benitez aims to have new keeper Jose Reina and striker Dirk Kuyt in his squad when pre-season starts with a two-week stint in a Swiss training camp.

Liverpool are likely to play their first pre-season match against Bayer Leverkusen in Austria on July 16, followed by a game away to Cologne on July 22.

They leave for Japan on July 25, where they play Shimizu-S Pulse on the 27th and Koshima Antlers on the 30th before returning to Liverpool the following day.

Meanwhile, a UEFA executive committee member believes it is too late to change the rules to accommodate holders Liverpool into next season's Champions League.

Pressure has increased on UEFA in the past week to include the Reds in next season's competition following their stunning penalty shoot-out triumph over AC Milan.

UEFA president Lennart Johansson is understood to be broadly supportive, and his influence is extremely important though not necessarily decisive.

However, Dr Joseph Mifsud, who has been on the committee since 1994, is a dissenting voice and is unequivocal in his belief the current regulations should be adhered to, which would result in the exclusion of the newly-crowned champions.

Mifsud, who is also the president of the Malta FA, said: "I believe we should follow the rules.

"If the rules permit it it is ok, if the rules do not permit it, no.

"I believe that while the English FA can do something in this regard, I believe as the rules stand at present at UEFA we cannot do anything unless of course the regulations are changed.

"But I don't agree regulations can be changed midway through the season.

"As far as I can see it is too late."