DIDI HAMANN must wait to sign an extended contract after Rafa Benitez shelved an initial offer of a new deal.
The Reds made a positive approach to the midfielder early in the New Year, but after a delay putting pen to paper, Benitez lost patience and decided to withdraw the offer following Liverpool's defeat to Birmingham last month.
Talks are now on hold until April, with Hamann effectively told to prove himself in the final few weeks of the season.
This has alerted several Bundesliga clubs to the 31-year-old's situation.
However, Hamann's recent performances against Bayer Leverkusen will have done his cause no harm.
If the popular anchorman maintains the high standards of midweek, Benitez is sure to make a fresh approach.
There are those who'll see Benitez's strategy as a test of Hamann's desire to stay at Anfield next season.
Since joining the Reds in 1999, Hamann has been one of the most consistent players at the club, but Benitez sees no risk in allowing the player's situation to alert other clubs.
He believes Hamann's preference is to stay at Anfield and hopes his performances will demonstrate this.
He won't be disapppointed, therefore, with the player's positive response.
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