Dominik Szoboszlai just inked a new deal, keeping him at Anfield until 2031. That’s awesome, right? It totally takes the heat off that looming 2028 situation and locks in a young core player. This kind of contract management is useful, even necessary, especially given past issues. But here’s the thing: while it’s a smart, sensible move, it absolutely does *not* clean the slate for the Reds. Not even close.
The 2027 Contract Time Bomb Is Already Ticking
That’s right, the real pressure isn’t on Szoboszlai anymore. It’s squarely on a cluster of first-team players whose deals expire in 2027. When you get into that final year, the club starts losing control fast. Players gain leverage, markets shift, and suddenly, a straightforward renewal turns into an expensive mess. We’re talking huge names: Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk, our two elite operators and senior figures, are heading into their final year next summer. That’s gonna create noise all season long. Liverpool needs to decide fast. Either they want these guys to stay beyond 2027 and get the work done, or they don’t, and succession planning becomes urgent. No long-term middle ground here.
Beyond the Headliners: Who’s Next on the Chopping Block?
It’s not just the big names. Curtis Jones, a younger, homegrown talent, also falls into that 2027 bracket. His situation is different, but no less important. If Andoni Iraola sees him as part of the medium-term plan, the club needs to show it. If not, they’ve got to act. Then there’s Joe Gomez, whose decade-plus chapter at the club might be nearing its end, with 2026-27 potentially his last season. Kostas Tsimikas has a similar vibe; he’s a useful squad player, committed, but not central to any five-year plan. Wataru Endo is another obvious one. He’s given the club exactly what he was brought in for, experience, reliability, cover, but sentiment doesn’t stop football. He’s a candidate for a sale or a natural end to his deal.
The Talent That Needs to Prove It Now
Don’t forget the interesting cases like Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic. Both have flashes of talent, they’ve had their moments, no doubt. But now they need to convince Iraola they’re worth building around, or at least worth renewing on terms that show real first-team importance. Talent alone doesn’t cut it anymore; relevance does. And it’s not stopping there. Once a player hits the final two years of their deal, those discussions begin, that’s just procedure. Alexis Mac Allister, one of our key 2023 midfield arrivals, is the only one yet to sign fresh terms. That’s going to attract attention. Rio Ngumoha is also in that group.
So yeah, Szoboszlai is locked up, but Liverpool’s front office still has a mountain of work to do. They need to sort out those 2027 contracts, figure out what they’re doing with key veterans and young talent alike, and get ahead of the next wave. This isn’t just about avoiding awkward situations; it’s about shaping the club’s core for years to come. The clock is definitely ticking.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Leave a Reply