Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he wants his players secured to new deals so not to destabilise their title tilt.
"(Dan) Agger is very close and he is talking with the club," Benitez said yesterday, although the Danish defender and reported Real Madrid target is entitled to buy-out the remainder of his existing Liverpool contract in January.
"There is no news yet with (Dirk) Kuyt but he is another player that I would like to get done as soon as possible. They have to be done before the new year. In each team you need people with quality, that work hard and with a good character. I want to do it as soon as possible because it is better for them and better for the club."