Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to seek big pay increase

Brendan Rodgers during a training session at Melwood Training Ground

Brendan Rodgers wants a lucrative new contract in the summer as reward for guiding Liverpool to almost certain Champions' League qualification.

The deal that Rodgers signed with John W Henry when taking over from Kenny Dalglish expires in June next year. There is an option for a further year, although the terms of the deal require Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, to inform Rodgers by the middle of next season if they want to take it up. So far there have been no negotiations.

Liverpool, who travel to Manchester United today, are determined to keep Rodgers on board and he will hold a powerful hand when he talks to the club at the end of the season. His salary of around £2m is dwarfed by those paid to Arsène Wenger, Jose Mourinho, David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini.