Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is pleased that captain Steven Gerrard has finally signed a two year extension to his contract.

"We have spent this summer trying to secure the players we have," said Benitez.

"It's really good to keep Kuyt, Torres, Agger, Benayoun and Steven. They are the here and now of the club and for the future it is really good.

"We are really pleased. We have a lot of good players who want to stay, to win and compete.

"The message has to be the same again this year - to be there, to be contenders and to fight.

"If we can win trophies it would be fantastic."