Liverpool open contract talks with five key players

LIVERPOOL, England May 4 (Reuters) Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is one of five players who have begun talks over new contracts, manager Rafael Benitez confirmed today.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso, defenders Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan and keeper Jose Reina are also being offered new deals.

Gerrard, who led Liverpool to a second Champions League final in three seasons this week, could agree a new four-year deal before this year's final against AC Milan in Athens on May 23.

''We have had some conversations with four or five players,'' Benitez told reporters today.

''We decided to stop talks briefly because we were playing in the semi-final of the Champions League.

''But we are talking again and hopefully can agree something before the final happens.

''The players already have contracts but we told them we want to do the deal and we are really close (to agreeing terms),'' Benitez said.

After toying with a move to Chelsea in 2004 and 2005, Gerrard, 26, decided to stay at Anfield and will be rewarded with a contract media in England report could be worth as much as 11.96 million dollars a year.

Benitez also answered criticism by departing academy coach Steve Heighway, who is angry that the Spaniard is taking more control of the club's youth policy.

Benitez began his coaching career working with the youth team at Real Madrid.

''I was working for 10 years with Real Madrid and we had 40 players go on to play Premier League football in Spain, so I have some experience,'' he said.

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