Jamie Carragher Identifies “Big Decisions” Liverpool Have To Make To Keep The Core Of The Side

Written By Jacobs Dunga

Liverpool have recorded considerable success under Jurgen Klopp over the past few years with the core of the players responsible for the team’s progress now nearing their twilights or having their contracts running out.

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Liverpool’s famed front three of Sadie Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino all have their contracts running out in 2023 with Salah especially proving a hard nut for Liverpool to reach agreement of a new deal with.

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Sadie Mane and Firmino as well would see their contracts come to an end in the summer of 2023 and talks over a renewal are yet to begin with two of them nearing their 30s while Firmino is already past the three decades mark.

Both Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip who are first choice centre backs are both thirty while club captain, Jordan Herderson is a year older. The Reds have brought in some players in that regard but Carragher believes there’s more to be done to avoid having all the players age at the same time.

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, speaking on the latest episode of Off Script, said: “These are big decisions, and tough decisions coming up. Liverpool’s team that started against Atletico Madrid away was the oldest team that has started for decades.

“These players are all getting to 30, and you don’t want the entire team to age at the same time. At some stage, the front three and other areas of the team will need breaking up.

“We’ve seen that with Ibrahima Konate coming in, Diogo Jota coming in last season, but you’d expect Liverpool will look to bring a midfield player in in the summer.

“You can’t allow the front three to get old together – I think in the summer that’s the area where you’ve got to be looking to the future. You don’t necessarily break it up, because it’s started so fantastically well this season, and though Jota has made a big impact, I’d like to see one more.”

Diogo Jota has actually done really well to break in the Liverpool attack while Ibrahima Konate who arrived over the summer from RB Leipzig is yet to get going.

Meanwhile…

Sporting director, Michael Edwards will leave the club at the end of the season when his current contract expires.

Edwards was promoted to the role of sporting director in 2016 after initially joining as head of performance and analysis in 2011.

In an open letter to supporters posted on Liverpoolfc.com, Edwards said: “I had always planned to cap my time at the club to a max of 10 years.

“I’ve loved working here, but I am a big believer in change. I think it’s good for the individual and, in a work setting, good for the employer, too.

“Over my time here we have changed so many things (hopefully for the better) but someone new brings a different perspective, new ideas and can hopefully build (or change) on the things that have been put in place beforehand.”

Edwards will be succeeded his assistant, Julian Ward who came on board in 2012 after leaving Manchester City. He was promoted to the role of deputy sporting director last December and has worked closely with Edwards and Jurgen Klopp.

Speaking about Ward, Edwards added: “Julian has been building up the skill set for this role for many years. Last year, he took on the role of assistant sporting director and over the past 12 months he has been introduced to other facets of the role that are vital to its success. I believe he is ideal for the role.

“Over the coming season I will continue to support him as we complete the leadership transition.”

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