Soccer: Liverpool complete triple swoop

Liverpool have completed a triple signing this afternoon by announcing that three of their top stars have committed themselves to the Anfield giants until 2005.

Midfield duo Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann, plus England defender Jamie Carragher have extended their contracts, giving boss Gerard Houllier a timely boost ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against FC Haka in Finland.

Gerrard is one of the brightest prospects in the Premiership, despite being beset by a series of injury problems, while Hamann has become an influential member of Houllier’s side following his £7.5million move from Newcastle in 1999.

The England international said: ‘‘I don’t see any other club in the world for me. I don’t want to play for anyone else.

‘‘I will sign a new contract very soon. I want to spend the best years of my life at Liverpool.

‘‘If things are going as well as they are now, I will want to sign another one after that.

‘‘I have supported Liverpool all my life. We are winning trophies and, hopefully, we will go on and win many more in years to come.

‘‘Why should I want to go anywhere else?’’