Liverpool are set to reunite one of the team's most potent partnerships, with Brendan Rodgers looking to make a summer move for Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid, while also securing the future of Steven Gerrard by offering the midfielder a new two-year deal.
Liverpool fans have always flirted with the idea of seeing one of their favorite players in Alonso make a return to Anfield at some point in the future, and it is looking like their wish could be granted sooner rather than later.
Alonso has stalled on signing a new contract at Real, with some reports in Spain suggesting he is even contemplating leaving on a free when his contract expires in 2014.
However, Rodgers could yet make a move for the deep-lying playmaker this summer, with Real ready to listen to offers if the contract situation stays unchanged come the end of the season.
Liverpool have reportedly made contact with Alonso's agent and are ready to offer the 31-year-old a multi-year deal worth around £80,000 a week ($120,000).
Gerrard's current deal, worth around £130,000 a week ($197,350) also expires in 2014, but Liverpool are confident of convincing their skipper to extend his stay with Liverpool by a few more years by offering him a new two-year deal, according to the Sunday People.
Rodgers, in fact, believes Gerrard, who will be 33 in May, is capable of playing on well into his late 30s, like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at Manchester United.
"Those guys -- it's not what they're doing now, it's what they've done all their lives as professionals," Rodgers said. "That's what allows you to play on.
"And guys like Gary McAllister, who play into their late 30s. It's what they were doing when they were 17, 18, 19, 20.
"Look at Steven Gerrard -- he's got every chance of playing well into his thirties because he's a wonderful professional.
"He trains every single day, never has a lazy day, works his socks off and wants to improve -- which is important.
"He is 32, the captain, and he's still looking at areas of the game he wants to improve on. His enthusiasm to play football is remarkable.
"He's got many more years left in him."
While Alonso does not exactly fit the bill when it comes to the kind of signings that both Rodgers and owners FSG want to make, it is believed the manager has asked the Americans to make an exception with the Spanish international.
A partnership of Alonso and Gerrard to run things in the middle of the park, coupled with the attacking verve that Liverpool have assembled up front, the Reds could indeed challenge for honors next season.
