Liverpool today added Xabi Alonso to their growing list of players who have signed new contracts this week.

On Monday it was Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher penning new four-year deals, and yesterday goalkeeper Jose Reina signed a five-year contract.

Now his fellow Spanish international Alonso has made it four players committing their futures with a five-year deal of his own, and it is expected that Mohamed Sissoko and Steve Finnan will follow over the weekend.

That will make it six in six days and complete a busy round of negotiations that will keep key members of the squad that reached the Champions League Final last season in Athens, at the club long-term.

"I knew there was interest from other clubs but it was always my idea to stay here," said Alonso.

"I have been here for three seasons now and have such special feelings for the club and the supporters. I understand what Liverpool FC means to so many people. It is such a special club and I just didn't want to leave.

"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.

"I greatly appreciate all the hard work that Rick Parry has put in on this contract and the faith that Rafa Benitez has shown in me. We all wanted to reach an agreement and we're all happy with the outcome.

"I want to be part of what lies ahead because I know it is going to be exciting. I've signed for another five years and there's no reason why we can't be successful.

"It's also good news to see that other players have signed new contracts this week. Stevie, Carra and Pepe are all big players for us and it's great they have all shown their commitment. I'm sure the manager will be bringing in new players as well and that the new owners will be making a big effort to improve the squad."

The deal with Alonso, back home in San Sebastian and tying up the final details by fax, has been Benitez's most worrying.

For several months the midfielder has been linked with a move to Barcelona, and the new contract seemed a thorny issue with the 25 year-old, a £10.5m signing from Real Sociedad in August 2004, one of Benitez's first captures.

He had been even linked as part of a swap-deal that would bring Samuel Eto'o from the Nou Camp to Anfield.

But Benitez has been determined to keep one of the players that he has built his Anfield squad around, and this contract signing will please the manager immensely.

As will the likely capture of Sissoko on a new deal. The tall midfielder suffered a bad eye injury 12 months ago and then a crisis of confidence last term when Javier Mascherano grabbed his holding midfield role.

That situation, with Sissoko missing the Athens final, attracted the attention of several European sides, particularly Juventus.

But Benitez does not want to lose the Mali international and a new deal is close to being completed. Likewise Finnan has proved his worth over the years and is also close to signing a new deal.