Gerrard signs new Liverpool deal

Liverpool:

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard signed a contract extension on Thursday tying him to the Premier League side until 2013.

The 29-year-old England midfielder, who has been with the Reds his entire career, signed a two-year extension to his previous contract lasting to 2011.

Gerrard followed striker Fernando Torres, midfielder Yossi Benayoun, winger Dirk Kuyt and defender Daniel Agger in recently committing himself to the 18-time English champions.

Gerrard, who came close to joining Chelsea in 2005, now looks likely to stay with his hometown club until retirement.

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

"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."

Liverpool finished four points behind Manchester United last season.