Liverpool are set to begin negotiatons with defender Martin Skrtel over a new three year contract extension, that would see him stay on Merseyside until 2018, according to reports.
The Slovakian centre back, 30 years old, will become the longest serving player at the club once captain Steven Gerrard joins Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, and club officials are eager to reward his loyalty with a new contract.
Liverpool are acting now over Skrtel's contract as they look to shake off interest from German side Wolfsburg and Italian side Napoli, the latter managed by Rafael Benitez, as he only has 12 months left on his current deal.
Since joining from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2008, Skrtel has made over 200 appearances for the Reds. During that time he has scored a solid 17 goals, eight of those coming in the 2013/14 season.
The attempted renewal of Skrtel's contract see's Liverpool continue their campaign to reward who they percieve as the club's best players with new contracts. Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho have all penned new deals this season, with Raheem Sterling the subject of ongoing negotiations.
Skrtel played the full 90 minutes against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday as Liverpool recorded a 2-1 victory, thanks to Steven Gerrard's late goal. That leaves them in fifth place in the Barclays Premier League, with three games left to play.