Reds duo pen new deals

Liverpool have been handed a double boost with the news that Jamie Carragher and Chris Kirkland have pledged their futures to the club.

Both players had been locked in talks with the club for the past few weeks and they put pen-to-paper on extended deals on Friday.

Carragher, who is currently recovering from a broken leg, has penned an extension which will keep him at Anfield until 2007, while highly-rated goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has signed until 2009.

Versatile ace Carragher is regarded as one of the most valuable members of the squad and his new deal will be a major lift for him as he bids to recover to full fitness.

Kirkland is regarded as a future England number one and he is battling it out with Jerzy Dudek for a place in the Liverpool side at present.

Reds boss Gerard Houllier has been keen to tie down his best young players to new long-term deals and he will be keen for Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen to follow the pair's path by staying at Anfield.

"We are delighted to sign up two more promising young players," said Houllier.

"It shows that the club is not only looking at the future, but the present.

"We have always said we would give a new contract to Carra and this is a club that cares about its players.

"It's a club also that always keeps its promise and I'm pleased that we've managed to sign both of them for the future."

"We want more success here and there will be probably be some more new signings soon."