The Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and team-mate Dirk Kuyt have agreed two-year extensions to tie them to the Premier League club until 2013.

Gerrard and Kuyt, who both had two years to run on their current deals, will soon put pen to paper on a new agreement that will keep them at Anfield for as long as manager Rafael Benítez, who also recently signed a new contract.

"This is fantastic news for the club," Benítez told the club's official website, Liverpoolfc.tv. "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.

"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."

Of Kuyt, Benítez said: "This is another great piece of news for the club. "Dirk had one year left on his contract and we were keen for him to stay. He is a player with great quality who has a big part to play in our future and we are delighted to have reached an agreement. To have announced new deals for Steven and Dirk on the same day shows how hard everyone is working and that we are moving forward quickly as a club. These are very positive messages and I am very happy."

The news comes on the day when Gerrard appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for a plea hearing in relation to his trial on a charge of affray over an alleged fight in a nightclub last year.

The 28-year-old formally pleaded not guilty after being accused of being part of a group that injured businessman Marcus McGee, 34, at the Lounge Inn, Southport, in the early hours of 29 December last year. The trial has been adjourned to 20 July.

Liverpool are a point behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand on their great rivals, and will be hoping to continue their strengthening title charge by leapfrogging the defending champions with a win at Fulham tomorrow. United host Aston Villa on Sunday.