Liverpool will conclude a busy period of contract negotiations with their current squad when Republic of Ireland international Steve Finnan and Mohamed Sissoko follow Xabi Alonso's lead by agreeing new long-term deals at the club over the weekend.

Rafael Benitez was relieved to see Alonso, long courted by Barcelona and Real Madrid, sign a new five-year contract yesterday having already tied down the spine of his side - Jose Reina, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard - until 2011 at least.

Sissoko had attracted interest from Juventus but will sign new terms this weekend, while Finnan has also agreed in principle to a two-year extension.

That will fulfil one of Benitez' summer objectives, ensuring the key players who he felt needed to remain at Anfield will indeed stay at the club, and allow him to turn his attentions more fully to adding to his squad. Talks with Lyon over the potential £8 million arrival of the France international midfielder Florent Malouda are ongoing, with further additions required both in defence and wide midfield.

Malouda said that Liverpool and Chelsea had contacted Lyon. "I have talked with Lyon officials. There are no offers yet, but it is true there has been direct contact. Liverpool and Chelsea have shown interest," he told L'Equipe. "I don't know how it will be finalised. But in my mind it is certain I will leave. "

Yet, for now, Benitez will be relieved that Alonso, in particular, has committed himself to the club after the midfielder completed a lengthy period of negotiations from his home in San Sebastian. Barcelona's interest had been strongest but, while he might have been tempted by a return to La Liga, Alonso was impressed with Liverpool's determination to retain him.

"I knew there was interest from other clubs but it was always my idea to stay here," said Alonso. "We agreed that the talks would take place after the Champions League final and, to be honest, in the end it was a simple decision for me because I could see right away that the attitude of the club towards me was spot on."

"We knew Xabi wanted to stay and he knew we wanted to keep him," added Benitez, who has allowed the on-loan Italian goalkeeper Daniele Padelli to return to Sampdoria. "Some other top clubs were interested in doing something or at least wanting to know what the situation was, but we were always clear that we wanted to build a strong team for the future and Xabi is part of that future."