Liverpool’s stance over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new contract is causing real surprise

Liverpool’s stance over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new contract is causing real surprise

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.

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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.

Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
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.

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TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
VIRGIL VAN DIJK
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Former PGMOL boss angry after hearing what Howard Webb has said about Liverpool incident

Howard Webb appears to have angered quite a few people with his assessment of an incident in the game between Liverpool and Manchester City.

The two sides, along with Arsenal, are fighting for the Premier League crown in what is the most exciting title race we have seen in years.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola faced each other for the last time at Anfield earlier this month, and there was a lot of controversy in the game.

One incident, in particular, has sparked outrage because many felt Liverpool deserved a penalty for a foul by Jeremy Doku on Alexis Mac Allister.

Webb, who is now the head of the PGMOL, addressed that issue yesterday, and his comments have not gone down well.

Howard Webb defends Alexis Mac Allister incident during Liverpool vs Manchester City
Everybody knows what happened late in the game between Liverpool and Manchester City, but if you’re living under a rock, let us explain.

The Reds were pushing for the winner towards the end of the game. The ball went up in the air between Alexis Mac Allister and Jeremy Doku, and both players decided to go for it.

Doku went in with his foot and caught Mac Allister before making contact with the ball. The referee waved play on and the VAR agreed.

Howard Webb, in his Mic’d Up series on the Premier League’s official website, addressed the issue, and he agreed with the referee and VAR.

He said: “It’s split a lot of opinion, hasn’t it? And I think it’s one of those for sure if the referee gives it on the field, it would have been a ‘Check complete’ by the VAR.

“And equally, having not given it, it’s also ‘Check complete’. You hear Michael Oliver say the ball’s in between two players going together. The ball is too low to head. Doku lifts his foot to play the ball, and he does make contact on the ball.

“And yes, we know there’s some contact on Mac Allister as well. Mac Allister comes into him. Mac Allister is not really playing the ball either. So, I understand why it’s split opinion.”

Former PGMOL boss furious with Webb
A number of people associated with Liverpool have been unhappy with the decision, and Howard Webb’s comments made it worse last night.

Keith Hackett, who used to be the boss of PGMOL back in the day, was furious too, as he firmly believes the referee and the VAR made a mistake by not awarding Liverpool a penalty. He had a real go at Webb for not accepting the mistake.

Reacting to Webb’s words, Hackett said in a tweet: “Not a foul Howard? you are joking. Do not defend the indefensible.”

In another tweet, he wrote: “What abject nonsense from Howard Webb who is ignoring Law 12. Careless -Reckless definition.”

Replying to a fan, Hackett said: “The boot is too high and makes contact with Mac Allister. It’s a foul!!! All day every day. Liverpool should have had a penalty kick.”

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Richard Hughes outlines aims as new Liverpool sporting director arms FSG with major Xabi Alonso hope
James Marshment 34 minutes ago

Liverpool manager target Xabi Alonso and, inset, new sporting director Richard Hughes

Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Richard Hughes as their new sporting director – a position he will take up at the end of the season – and with it giving themselves a major advantage in their bid to secure Xabi Alonso as their next manager.

Former Scotland international Hughes has worked wonders with Bournemouth, since stepping into the role of technical director and has been a key factor in the south coast club’s return to the Premier League in 2021 and having established themselves there since. As a result, and due to his close connections with Liverpool‘s new CEO of football, Michael Edwards, he was very quickly established as their first choice to step into the role as Jorg Schmadtke’s replacement.

Indeed, Liverpool have made a beeline to lure Hughes from the Vitality Stadium to Anfield, a move that ultimately proved impossible to resist, and he will not take up his new role once the current campaign draws to a close.

DON’T MISS ~ New Liverpool sporting director: Treble winner and £3m bargain among best Richard Hughes deals

Going forwards, he will work closely alongside Edwards at identifying and ultimately signing a raft of new players for Liverpool, who are entering a new era with manager Jurgen Klopp stepping down from his position at the end of the current campaign.

In the meantime, and with Liverpool now making Hughes’ appointment official, he has revealed his excitment at taking up the Anfield role.

“I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool FC is a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity.

“People rightly talk about the rich history this organisation can boast, but it is the present and future which really excites me.”

Richard Hughes arrival secures advantage in Xabi Alonso race
Hughes also paid tribute to the outstanding job done by the departing Reds manager, adding: “Jurgen Klopp is leading an outstanding team and squad and alongside that the commitment to young players and their pathway to the first team is also outstanding.”

Hughes’ first job, working alonside Edwards, will be on securing the best possible replacement for Klopp.

Per reports, the Reds have a shortlist of three names, featuring Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi.

However, it is Alonso who is very much the club’s number one choice, given the stellar work he has done with Bayer Leverkusen this season.

Luring him to Anfield, though, will be far from easy. He’s on to a great thing with Leverkusen, who are well placed in their bid to win the first Bundesliga title in their history.

Furthermore, interest from Bayern Munich, who are also seeking a new coach following the announcement that Thomas Tuchel will depart, means an intense battle is shaping up over the 42-year-old.

However, the appointment of Hughes actually gives Liverpool a new major advantage in that battle for the Spaniard’s appointment, given his close personal links to Alonso’s agent Inaki Ibanez.

Indeed, Hughes used his friendship with him to convince another of his clients, Andoni Iraola, to the Vitality Stadium last summer.

At the time, the move was considered something of a gamble, especially given they removed the equally-impressive Gary O’Neil from his role to take on Iraola.

But the move has benefited all parties enormously with Iraola showcasing his talents and leading Bournemouth to what appears certain safety.

Now it’s suggested that Hughes can use Ibanez to help smooth the process of steering Alonso to Anfield.

We understand the Reds have already put the offer of a three-year deal on the table to Alonso; now Hughes can help push that deal over the line before then turning his focus towards Liverpool’s summer transfer plans.

READ MORE ~ Next Liverpool manager: Edwards turns screw on Xabi Alonso with bold move for much-loved €60m star

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