Aces waiting for Rafa Benitez deal in contract mystery

Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger could lead a host of Liverpool stars out of Anfield as the mystery delay over Rafa Benitez 's new contract threatens another crisis.

Kuyt, one of Benitez's favourite signings, has 18 months of his current deal to run, while Agger is pressing for an extension and a pay rise.

Benitez was promised an extra year last April, but the internal wranglings within the club - with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett searching for ways to beat the world credit crunch, or sell out - means future planning is on ice.

Benitez last night stressed: "I will not allow the situation to disturb my concentration but, no, I have heard nothing."

But Hicks, Gillette and chief exec Rick Parry now face the possibility that several of Liverpool's top players will be lost to them unless Benitez stays.

The nightmare scenario would be the departure of Fernando Torres who, like all of the Spanish players at Anfield, joined the club because of Benitez.

Kuyt and Agger could just be the first of many.