Kyrgiakos set for contract extension for

Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos has earned himself a 12-month contract extension at Anfield.

The former Greece international, 32 next month, originally joined on a two-year deal from AEK Athens at the start of the 2009-10 season.

However, written into that agreement was an option for a further year and it is understood that Kyrgiakos has qualified for that having played the required number of matches last season.

With the club looking to reinforce that area this summer his chances could be even more limited and it is possible he will be sold, with a return to his homeland the most likely.

Liverpool have, however, confirmed the departure of a number of reserves with former captain Steve Irwin, Nikola Saric, Jason Banton, Deale Chamberlain, Alex Cooper and Sean Highdale all leaving.