Source: Team_Talk
Carragher hoping for new Reds deal
Veteran Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is keen to agree a new contract which will see him end his playing career at Anfield.[LNB] Amid reports, which the club have refused to comment on, that a board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow where the current ownership issue will be discussed, the 32-year-old at least offered some reassuring consistency.[LNB]Towards the end of last season it had been suggested the former England international would consider leaving the only professional club he has played for if an adequate deal was not forthcoming.[LNB]However, Carragher dismissed that suggestion some time ago and has spoken about how keen he is to see out the remainder of his lengthy career with the Reds.[LNB]"I'm sure I'll be signing a contract and looking forward to finishing my career at Liverpool," he said.[LNB]"I laugh when people say I've been in 'talks'. There'll be no talks, as it will probably be sorted in 20 minutes.[LNB]"The club have mentioned that the most important thing was to sort the ins and outs before the end of the transfer window.[LNB]"Then, if they want to speak to me, that's great. That's probably when we'll sit down and sort it out.[LNB]"I am desperate to finish my career at the club and I'm sure that will be the case."[LNB]Transfers are not the only issues which had a timescale for completion of the end of the month, as chairman Martin Broughton had been hopeful of agreeing a sale to new owners before the close of the window.[LNB]There has been much public jostling for position by the likes of Chinese businessman Kenny Huang and Yahya Kirdi, a Syrian based in Canada, but neither has provided convincing arguments to suggest he should be the one to take over from current incumbents Tom Hicks and George Gillett.[LNB]Other, less vocal groups, have also expressed an interest, but although Broughton requested detailed proposals be submitted by the middle of this week it seems a sale before the end of August is now unlikely.[LNB]Manager Roy Hodgson has stressed off-field issues are not his or the players' concern.[LNB]And, according to Carragher, even uncertainty about the club's future and speculation about the suitability of potential new owners has not dampened the mood within the camp.[LNB]"I think there is a general feel-good factor around the place now," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.[LNB]"With the new manager coming in and Joe Cole coming, it's given everybody a massive lift around the city.[LNB]"Hopefully we can build on that, even though we have a tough start (against Arsenal on Sunday).[LNB]"You are always confident because Liverpool have always got good players but the proof will be on the pitch.[LNB]"A new manager coming in gives you that extra emphasis, Joe is a great addition and Stevie Gerrard and Fernando Torres are staying - but they were here last year and we didn't do particularly well.[LNB]"I am hopeful we will bring in a couple more players, which is what we need.[LNB]"We have a tough start to the season against Arsenal and Manchester City (their first two matches) and if we do well against them I'm sure we'll carry it on for the rest of the season.[LNB]"The whole world will be watching Liverpool v Arsenal. You want to play in the biggest games and that is the biggest one of the weekend and we are relishing the challenge."
