LONDON - Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has finally ended his contract saga by signing a new 20million pound deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2014.

“My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign. I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying,” The Sun quoted Benitez, as saying.
“I always made it clear I wanted to be here for a long time. When I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.”

The Spaniard had stalled on the offer for nearly two months, raising doubts over his long-term future at Liverpool.

He had knocked back earlier drafts, as he wanted a greater control in transfers and a bigger hand in the academy.

But now he and the Reds’ US owners have agreed to compromise slightly, with Benitez able to move for transfers within a budget as well as being given assurances over the club’s future.

Another stumbling block had been chief executive Rick Parry, the man Benitez blamed for the Kop’s failure to sign Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry.

But Parry is leaving in May and, though both men insist they had no problem working together, it is a move, which clearly suits the manager.

Benitez will get around 85,000 pound a week. (ANI)