Analysed: Who is next in line for a MEGA money contract at Anfield?

Richard Hughes has just overseen arguably the two most important contract renewals in the history of Liverpool Football Club, but his work isn’t done yet.

The futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have been secured, but there are a number of other stars in line for a new contract.

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No one can question Salah and Van Dijk’s status as Liverpool’s top earners, but some of their colleagues will feel that their contributions to the club’s 20th league title are worthy of reward.

The problem for Hughes and co is deciding who to give priority to in contract negotiations, especially with a busy transfer window on the horizon.

Whose contract should be Liverpool’s top priority?

There is of course the argument that Hughes should sort out contracts in order of market value, begin with the players that are worth the most in order to minimise losses.

This method may be effective, but transfer value doesn’t always reflect a player’s importance to the team and therefore this might not be the best way to approach renewals this summer.

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Player contracts are obviously the most talked about but there is also Arne Slot who, having just walked the Premier League in his first season, will probably be looking to sign a new deal that not only keeps him at Anfield for longer, but reflects his excellent first 12 months in charge.

Slot still has multiple years remaining on his current contract, but tying down one of the best managers in world football seems like a good place to start.

If the head coach’s contract is Hughes’ top priority in the coming weeks, which players should Liverpool’s sporting director turn his attention to afterwards?

Who is in line for a new deal at Anfield?

Ibrahima Konate, Andrew Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher are all entering the final 12 months of their contracts in the coming months.

Kelleher’s departure this summer is all but certain, so Hughes won’t have to worry about negotiating a new deal with the Irishman.

Konate is a regular in Slot’s starting XI and one of the Reds’ most valuable assets. There are plenty of teams interested in the Frenchman and a new deal keeping him in Merseyside beyond the end of next season should be pretty high up on Hughes’ priority list.

Robertson has been a fan favourite at Anfield since his arrival almost a decade ago, but the 31-year-old is no longer as effective as he once was and, with fresh blood expected to arrive in his position, a new deal for Robertson feels like something that won’t be addressed until well after the start of next season.

Liverpool’s other contract priorities

As well as the players nearing the end of their deals, Hughes will also have to answer to players who want improved terms as soon as possible. Luis Diaz, Curtis Jones and Conor Bradley could all fall into this category.

Diaz’s desire for improved wages and pay parity with his colleagues has been well documented, and the Colombian could look to force a move away if new terms aren’t agreed in the near future.

Jones, who has made 44 appearances for Slot’s side this season, signed his current deal back in 2022 and is reportedly earning only £15,000 per week, according to Capology.

This makes Jones one of the lowest earners in the Liverpool squad and the midfielder’s importance to the team isn’t fairly reflected by his current compensation.

The impending departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely lead to an increased role for Bradley, and it isn’t farfetched to assume that the young defender will want improved terms to reflect his newfound place in Liverpool’s starting XI.

All three of these players have multiple years remaining on their contract, so there is less urgency in their situations, but without improved terms the players may become unsettled, and this is something for Hughes to consider.

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If a new deal for Arne Slot should be Hughes’ priority, tying down Ibrahima Konate should follow. If Bradley is going to step into Alexander-Arnold’s spot next year, then he should be third in line for a new deal.

Both Jones and Diaz sit next on the list in order to fend off any potential interest and then lastly an extension for Andy Robertson should be considered before his current deal expires at the end of next season.