Benayoun signs new Reds deal

Liverpool’s Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun on Monday signed a new two-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the club until 2013.

The 29-year-old told www.liverpoolfc.tv: “I am very happy that we have reached an agreement. Of course, to be at a club like this is a dream come true and I want to keep playing here.

“Hopefully now I can concentrate on the hard work that needs to be done and try to play better and better and win some silverware.”

Benayoun, who moved to Anfield from West Ham in July 2007, scored nine goals in 42 appearances during the 2008-09 campaign, including the late winner against Real in the Champions League last 16 at the Bernabeu stadium in February.

He follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt in committing his long-term future to the club.

Boss Rafael Benitez said: “You know that our idea was to extend the contracts of some players and Yossi was one of these players.

“He has been really good for us over the last year, scoring crucial goals and getting assists, so we wanted to keep him and I’m really pleased with the extension.”