Benitez hopes to keep Hamann at Anfield

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez is hoping a new deal can be agreed with Dietmar Hamann.

The 31-year-old Germany midfielder’s contract expires in the summer and he will be free to talk to other clubs from next month.

Hamann has been one of the mainstays in the side over the past five years and has won 57 caps for his country.

Benitez is anxious to retain the services of Hamann, who arrived for £8million (€11.6m) from Newcastle in July 1999.

“I am very happy with him and we have been talking,” said the Liverpool boss.

“We will speak again in a few days. I will say now that I want him to stay here.”

Benitez is keen to strengthen his squad when the transfer window re-opens, especially as striker Djibril Cisse is a long-term injury victim. The Spanish coach is keeping his cards close to his chest, but that area of the pitch would seem to be a priority.

He is short of numbers in that department with Milan Baros, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor carrying the burden in attack at the moment.

Benitez said: “The board say they will do what they can. It is important that I know what we can do. I will work with the scouting department as well as with (chief executive) Rick Parry and the chairman (David Moores) about the future.”

Benitez will make one enforced change for the match against Portsmouth at Anfield tomorrow, in the wake of derby defeat by Everton.

Poland goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek returns between the posts as Chris Kirkland is suffering from a back problem. Kirkland was widely criticised for the way Lee Carsley’s winner had come about.

Benitez said: “Jerzy Dudek will play for sure as Chris has a little injury. He has not trained the last two days.” Czech Republic striker Baros is set to be recalled to the team after being rested at the weekend in light of the heavy fixture programme.

Xabi Alonso could also return at the expense of Salif Diao in midfield as Liverpool aim to get back on track.

Liverpool’s home form has been impressive with 18 points gained from a possible 21.

Benitez is hoping they can continue in that winning vein against a Portsmouth side who gained a point at Newcastle at the weekend.

“We were disappointed to lose to Everton. We run and fight, we have chances. But that is in the past,” he said. “We ... must think about the next game and we know how important the three points will be for our confidence. It is a long race to the title and if we gain three more points it will push us nearer the top four. We are playing well at home but not away. We need a better mentality in those games.”