Benitez to discuss new Reds deal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set to begin talks with the club's owners over a new contract.

The Spaniard arrived at Anfield in 2004 and his current deal is not set to expire until 2010 but Benitez is keen to extend his stay.

"I received a phone call from Tom Hicks on behalf of George Gillett also," he told the club's official website.

"They are talking about a meeting with my advisers and a contract extension. This is very positive news."

Liverpool have enjoyed a good start to the season and are currently second in the Premier League, only trailing Chelsea by goal difference.

Tottenham are the only team to have beaten Liverpool so far and they also look set to reach the latter stages of the Champions League.

The 48-year-old former Valencia manager agreed a new four-year deal in 2006 and Gillett and Hicks have now moved to secure his long-term future.

"We decided to meet in the next week and now my advisers are in contact with them," added Benitez.

"We haven't spoken about the length of the contract but we talked and we all want to find a solution as soon as possible.

"For me, it's easy. I want to stay here - I am where I want to be. It's very simple.

"My family and I know how good the fans have been with us. The club is going forward and we have the new stadium project. There are a lot of positive things.

"I want to stay here for a long time. Clearly I would like to be here when the new stadium opens. The other day I was joking that if they offered me a 20-year contract I'd be really pleased."
Benitez has not always seen to eye to eye with Liverpool's American owners over the club's transfer policy but they appear to have patched up their differences in recent months.

Matters came to a head in the summer after the board baulked at Aston Villa's £18m asking price for midfielder Gareth Barry, a player Benitez was keen to add to his squad.

However, they did sanction a £20.3m move for striker Robbie Keane and the previous summer they paid an undisclosed club record fee for Spain forward Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid.

The fractious relationship has resulted in Benitez being linked with moves to Italy or back to his native Spain with Real Madrid but he is hopeful that talk of a new deal will allow his team to build on their good start to the season.

"The team is in a very good position, so if I do not have to talk about my contract from now on it will be perfect," stated Benitez.

"The owners know we are doing well. The atmosphere is really good, we are at the top of the league and our Champions League group. The team is playing well."

Despite the Reds finishing fifth in his first campaign at Anfield, Benitez won the Champions League after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against AC Milan and also guided the club to the final of the Carling Cup.

The following season Liverpool won the FA Cup and a year later they were back in the final of the Champions League but were defeated by Milan.

Gillett and Hicks are said to be delighted with the club's start to the 2008-2009 campaign and a statement released on their behalf said: "Rafa continues to do a great job, we are really pleased with the progress of the team and we look forward to talking to him and his advisers about extending his contract."