Benayoun agrees new deal at Anfield

Yossi Benayoun has committed his future to the Reds after agreeing terms on a new Anfield contract reports the Echo.

Benayoun had two years remaining on his current deal but Rafa Benitez was eager to reward the Israeli international with a contract extension after his best campaign yet in a Liverpool shirt last season.

“Talks have now been concluded successfully and Benayoun is set to sign a one-year extension which will see him remain with Liverpool until 2012,” says the story.

Benayoun is the latest player to commit their futures to the club, with Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt all agreeing deals at the end of last season. Benitez said: “We had to guarantee the future of the club first and then afterwards if you can improve then you must try to do so.

“This meant that the first thing we had to do this summer was to guarantee the futures of some of the players who are already here and we are happy that we have been able to do this in so many cases.”

Benitez has been dividing his time today between Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby and Melwood as the preparations for the coming season begins. “The majority of the first team squad returned to Melwood yesterday for a series of drills and tests ahead of pre-season trips to Switzerland, the Far East, Spain and Norway,” reports the Echo, whilst “Glen Johnson will join up with his new team mates for the first time on Wednesday.”

The defender along with captain Steven Gerrard have been given an extra few days off following international duty with England at the end of last season.

The Spanish players do not return until July 19 after their involvement in the Confederations Cup.

“Benitez was at the Academy to welcome the club’s latest batch of youngsters and also to meet with Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish on his first official day since rejoining the Reds,” reports the story.

Meanwhile, as reported on this site yesterday, the club has officially confirmed today that Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby have agreed new deals to stay at Anfield.