Dominik Szoboszlai is close to signing a new contract at Liverpool, with the Hungary international putting pen to paper on an extended deal. The midfielder still has almost two years remaining on his current agreement, making the matter less pressing than other cases at Anfield.
Nine First-Team Players at Risk of Free Transfers
Liverpool are in danger of losing nine first-team squad members on a free transfer next summer. The Reds have been caught out in recent years by the departure of free agents, with Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah officially leaving at the end of last month. Trent Alexander-Arnold would have gone for nothing the previous summer had Real Madrid not wanted him for the FIFA Club World Cup.
While allowing players on big wages to leave can often work in favour of clubs, Liverpool are not as adept at bringing in free agents as they are at letting them go. Those nine names due to exit in less than 12 months will loom large in the minds of the recruitment team.
Alisson Becker Should Be Top Priority
According to Liverpool ECHO chief Liverpool FC correspondent Ian Doyle, Alisson Becker is surely top of the list for a new deal. The goalkeeper may not be as consistently available as in the past, but he demonstrated at the World Cup for a poor Brazil that he is still one of the best in his position and by some distance the first choice at Liverpool.
Having triggered their option of a one-year extension before the summer, the Reds should be looking to offer Alisson at least another year. Only 18 months older than Jordan Pickford, the Brazilian still has time on his side and Liverpool would be wise to extend his Anfield stay during a period of likely further seismic change in the squad.
Curtis Jones Deserves New Deal, Says Iraola
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola could not have been more effusive in his praise for Curtis Jones at his introductory press conference. The going fees for midfielders this summer make you wonder if Liverpool are in danger of not appreciating the talent they have in front of them.
Whatever Jones thinks about a move to Inter Milan, repeating the type of success enjoyed by Scott McTominay at Napoli is sure to be tempting him. However, he also has ties that bind him to home, and a new contract for a homegrown player who has his best years ahead of him surely has to be on the agenda.
Iraola hinted as much anyway, and while Jones will face a fight to get a consistent spot in the starting XI, it is no different to the types of battles he's had his entire Reds career. If Liverpool lose Jones they are only going to have to replace him, and as a result they might end up paying a hefty whack for an English midfielder capable of the things that Jones is. Liverpool could regret it if they let him go for next to nothing, and the confidence generated from a new deal could see him come on leaps and bounds.
