Liverpool will not announce new deals for England stars Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher until after their Champions League final clash with AC Milan in Athens on Wednesday night.

Captain Gerrard and Carragher are believed to be poised to sign new long-year deals with the club.

But Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said this morning: "Nothing will happen until after the final."

Both players have spoken about wanting to end their playing days at Anfield, despite being able to buy out their contracts under new rules introduced by Fifa.

Carragher told the Liverpool Daily Post: "I never want to leave Liverpool and I hope I can get my contract sorted out as quickly as possible.

"I'm not interested in this new FIFA rule where players can buy themselves out of their contract.  I know it's there, but I don't know anything about it as it is something I wouldn't do.

"My ambition is to wear the red shirt for as long as I can and I'd be absolutely gutted if I ever had to leave."

Last week Gerrard was just as unequivocal on his future, saying: "I'm coming up to 27 years old now and hopefully I can sign a long-term deal that will see me having the best days of my career at Liverpool.

"Obviously it is all about whether you are good enough to be in the starting XI, but that is what I intend to happen now for the best years of my career.

"It is all now up to Rick Parry and the American people (new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks), and manager Rafa (Benitez), when it actually happens.

"Talks are progressing well, and I am ready to sign a new contract any time. It is just around the corner."  PA