Gerrard signs new deal - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Gerrard signs new deal

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has agreed a two-year contract extension, the club announced on Friday.

The 28-year-old had two years to run on his current deal but has committed to the club until 2013.

Manager Rafael Benitez told the club's website: "This is fantastic news for the club. Steven has once again shown his commitment and it was an easy deal to agree. As soon as we offered him the option he said yes. There were no problems at all. He wants to stay for life."

He added: "This deal sends out another clear message that we are moving forward as a club. To know we have a player of Steven's quality with us for many more years is a great boost for the club and the fans.

"He is clearly a player who inspires those around him and even though he is playing very well at the moment, I still think his best years are ahead of him."

Meanwhile the Reds captain formally pleaded not guilty to affray when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Gerrard was accused of being part of a group that injured businessman Marcus McGee, 34, at the Lounge Inn, Southport, in the early hours of December 29 last year.

Asked how he pleaded, the father of two, dressed smartly in a single-breasted dark blue suit, said in a loud voice: "Not guilty."

He appeared alongside six other men who also denied affray - a charge stemming from a melee after Gerrard celebrated Liverpool's 5-1 destruction of Newcastle.

The Recorder of Liverpool Henry Globe QC adjourned the trial to July 20.

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