Liverpool are getting closer and closer to finalising their plans for next season and beyond.
Following Michael Edwards’ appointment as FSG’s new CEO of football last week, today has brought an official announcement that Richard Hughes will be Liverpool’s next sporting director.
The move to bring Hughes from Bournemouth has Edwards’ fingerprints all over it and the 44-year-old will reportedly soon begin work on identifying Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
As well as hopefully sorting out a deal to bring Xabi Alonso back to Anfield, there’s plenty more for Hughes to sort besides. The small matter of new contracts for three of Liverpool’s most important players should be right at the top of that list.
Liverpool dallying on big deals
Following news of Hughes’ appointment this afternoon, The Times ran a piece that was especially glowing in its assessment of the former Portsmouth midfielder.
By the sounds of things, Liverpool have made themselves another very exciting hire.
It’s just as well too, because the current contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk needs a steady hand to guide.
As per The Times, there has been ‘surprise in some quarters’ that Liverpool haven’t tried harder to tie each of the key trio down to a new deal already. Alarm bells are quietly starting to ring.
Hughes bringing stability
The idea is hopefully that Hughes’ arrival at the club will signal the start of negotiations proper with all three of Salah, Trent and Van Dijk.
With just a year left to run on each of their deals come this summer, it needs to be sorted as a matter of priority.
Of the three, it’s perhaps Alexander-Arnold who will induce the most anxiety amongst Liverpool fans. Although Salah and Van Dijk are equally – if not perhaps more – important, both are now the wrong side of 30.
Salah’s future is already clouded by significant interest from Saudi Arabia, while Van Dijk will be 34 when his contract ends. There’s a small argument for not extending either.
In Trent’s case though, there’s no such excuse. At 25, the right-back still has his best years ahead of him. As vice-captain, his importance to the team has never been greater. It really is a surprise that this has yet to be sorted.
Hughes’ arrivals should hopefully change that, though. With the club now in safe hands and heading in a clear direction, things will surely start to move in regards to all three contracts.
Whether they’ll be signed or not is perhaps a different matter. There shouldn’t be too much concern over Trent, although you’d imagine he’d be looking for a pay rise in line with the top earners at the club.
In regards to Van Dijk and Salah, attempts should also be made. Let’s hope to see some more positive updates in the coming weeks.