TAKEN FROM THE LIVERPOOL SITE


Indeed, Benitez is already close to his first signing of the summer, with Villarreal goalkeeper Jose Reina having revealed that a deal is almost done to bring him to Anfield.

Further targets could include Crystal Palace's Andrew Johnson, Real Zaragoza's Argentinian defender Gabriel Milito and Feyenoord's free-scoring striker Dirk Kuyt.

Luis Figo, Owen Hargreaves, Peter Crouch, Matthew Upson and Albacete midfielder Mark Gonzalez have been linked, along with Pablo Aimar, Ruben Baraja and David Albelda from his former club Valencia.

But while a lucrative new deal is set to be agreed with Steven Gerrard, Benitez will waste little time in trimming his existing squad - even after their Champions League success.

Those who have been out on loan are likely to be either sold or freed, and that could mean the end for Diouf, Salif Diao, Carl Medjani, Gregory Vignal, Bruno Cheyrou and Alou Diarra.

Liverpool could also raise funds by selling Harry Kewell, Dudek, Baros, Neil Mellor and Anthony Le Tallec.

Patrice Luzi, Jon Otsemobor, Paul Harrison, Ritchie Partridge and Mark Smyth have already been released, while Smicer, Igor Biscan, Dietmar Hamann and Mauricio Pellegrino are out of contract.

The key is that Liverpool are determined to invest from a position of strength, having total belief in their manager after an incredible first season in English football.

Parry added: "We were looking for a young, hungry, ambitious coach with a track of record of success in major competitions and he fitted that bill perfectly.

"We've got there rather more quickly than we even imagined when we hired Rafa, but we're delighted for him as he deserves his success. We never had any doubts that he was the right man."