Another player staying at Anfield is Nabil El Zhar who has signed an extension to his current contract that will keep him with Liverpool until 2012.

The 22-year-old, who made 19 appearances for the first-team last season, follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger in committing his long-term future to the club.

The Moroccan international joined Liverpool from St Etienne in October 2006.

Liverpool have also completed the signing of French left-back Chris Mavinga from Paris St Germain. The 18-year-old, who can also play at centre-back, has represented his country at U18 level.

Meanwhile, Frank McParland believes a visit from Benitez to the Academy put a ‘spring in the step’ of Liverpool’s youngsters earlier this week.

"It was fantastic to see the manager down here," said Academy director McParland.

"You could see it in the lads’ faces – every single one of them was delighted to see him and they listened intently to every single word he had to say to them.

"But you could see it even more in the way they have trained since then because there has been a spring in their step and a real buzz about the place."

McParland also revealed how the youngsters have been treated to regular drop- ins from Jamie Carragher, who is preparing for a coaching career once his playing days come to an end.

He added: "I’ve got to say as well that one of the things that has pleased me most is that Jamie Carragher is continuing to come up here to work on his coaching.

"Just by being here Carra is giving the lads a massive boost and by working with them it just adds to the mix and supports what we are trying to achieve here."