Liverpool chief Rick Parry admits getting Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher signed to a new deals was an end-of-season priority.

Parry said: "It was a priority for us to get two of our most important players, two local players, signed up to new contracts.

"It's a very positive statement we feel and sends out an important message. There's a lot of work - an awful lot of work - going on in the background.

"It's important we get the right players and there will be a lot of activity at the club to come - but we're delighted to see Steven and Jamie sign these contracts."