From the moment these deals were mooted several weeks ago, there has never been a moment of doubt that the local heroes would resign and commit the best years of their careers to their hometown club.

But Benitez, seemingly at loggerheads with the club's new owners since the Champions League final defeat in Athens a fortnight ago over his transfer kitty, will want to see more action from Tom Hicks and George Gillett in the coming weeks.

And the potential incoming transfers are clearly interesting the Liverpool duo, with Carragher saying: "As far as transfers are concerned, we are just like any other fans, desperate to see how things take shape.

"The main thing is to make sure we get the right players. That will give us a better chance to do well in all of the competitions next season."

But that seems no clearer or nearer as more days and weeks pass without the massive outlay he believed he was promised.

Benitez will also want to tie up new deals for Jose Reina and Xabi Alonso - despite continued interest from Barcelona - plus Steve Finnan.

And he is believed to be about to offer an increased deal to Mohamed Sissoko to halt further interest from Juventus in the midfielder, who lost his place to Javier Mascherano last term.

But there the deals look to be hitting the buffers.

It seems Liverpool are no longer in the hunt for Daniel Alves, who is heading for Real Madrid, as well as Gabriel Milito - who is now interesting Juventus.

And any fanciful move for Samuel Eto'o at £35million is way out of Benitez's reach unless he starts raising cash by selling the likes of Craig Bellamy.

The £10million move for Lyon winger Florent Malouda seems no nearer completion.

None of that is palatable to Benitez, and this could be a long, hot summer of discontent at Anfield if quick money does not start to appear from across the Atlantic.

Gerrard and Carragher drove back to Liverpool from England's Manchester HQ ahead of Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia to put pen to paper on their new contracts. The team fly out to Tallinn tomorrow.

Gerrard is believed to now be on around £120,000 a week, with Carragher somewhat less on £80,000 a week.

Gerrard said: "There was never any doubt that we would sign.

"Jamie and I have spoken about it between ourselves and as soon as the club mentioned a new contract for us both, we were both delighted to sign it straight away.

"I'm just pleased to get it out of the way and we look forward to next season now. Hopefully over the next four years we can deliver a lot more trophies.

"I think you've seen off the field that the club are wanting to move forward in the right direction."

He added: "It's the same for the players and we want to back that up by delivering big performances on the pitch to make sure the club continues to be successful for years to come.

"It's no good all of the things happening right off the pitch if the players don't deliver on it. That's where me and Jamie and the other boys come in, and hopefully we can back that up with the way we play.

"I think it's a good statement from the club to show that they are signing big players for a long time."

Carragher added: "Obviously we are both local lads and I've always said I wanted to stay here for the rest of my career.

"Hopefully I've got one more [contract] left in me that will take me until the end of my career.

"I have signed for four years and hopefully I can still be a regular in the team. That's the aim anyway.

"The title must be the goal now. These are exciting times at the club with the takeover and the new stadium.

"I don't see why we can't go from strength to strength and win a load more trophies, not just the Premiership but more cups as well.

"Having said that, we can't get away from the fact that the Premiership is the one we want."