Gerrard and Carragher await deals

Carragher (left) and Gerrard came through the youth ranks at Anfield

Liverpool will not announce new contracts for England stars Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher until after the Champions League final.

Reports claimed an announcement on the midfielder and defender's new long-term deals would be revealed before the game with AC Milan in Athens on Wednesday.

But Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "Nothing will happen until after the final."

The deal for captain Gerrard, 26, is thought to be worth about £6m a year.

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He has two years left on his current contract but Liverpool are keen to tie him down to a new one.

Earlier this month he said: "Talks are progressing and I am ready to sign a new contract any time now. As soon as the contract is put in front of me I will sign it."

Gerrard is hoping the new deals for himself and Carragher, 29, will help the club challenge for the Premiership title.

He added: "We can't escape the fact that, in the league, this season we haven't been good enough.

With investment in the summer, and the squad here staying together, we can promise to push Chelsea and Manchester United all the way next year Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard

"You ask the manager, or me, or indeed any of the players in our dressing room and they will all say exactly the same thing.

"We had bigger ambitions for this season than the Champions League.

"We always had one eye on Europe because it is so prestigious and a tournament that has always served us well but we also wanted the league flag flying back at Anfield and felt we were in a good position to have a real go.

"The league is always your bread and butter as a Liverpool player and we are not far away.

"With investment in the summer, and the squad here staying together, we can promise to push Chelsea and Manchester United all the way next year."