Rafa Benitez to sign new £16million Liverpool deal

Rafa Benitez was celebrating a double last night as Liverpool topped their Champions League group and he was offered a new £16million deal.

American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are rewarding their Spanish manager for his success so far this season.

While Liverpool topped their group to ensure an easier draw in the knockout stage, Benitez's advisor was penning the fine print on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The final package will be settled over the next few days, but it is thought he will earn in excess of £16million over the course of the deal.

The deal is a victory for Benitez, who said the length of the contract, not the money, was the issue.

The owners wanted to follow the US-sports style of a single-year extension, but have backed down.

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