Liverpool are looking to tie down two of their key players to avoid speculation over their future. Brazilian ace Roberto Firmino and Welsh youngster Ben Woodburn are in line for new deals as the Reds look to award them for their potential and performances.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are keen to extend Firmino’s stay at Anfield as the Brazilian has become a key player under Jurgen Klopp. He joined from Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim in 2015 and has the ability to play anywhere across the front three.
Klopp sees Firmino as his No.9 and wants to extend his contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2020. He has made 101 appearances for the club so far, scoring 27 goals and providing 25 assists.
There is no immediate threat because the player is happy to stay at the club but let us not complicate things by leaving it late. We are seeing how Emre Can’s contract situation is panning out as his deal moves into the final months.
Talking of Can, there is no change in the contract scenario as the club and player continue to wrangle over the inclusion of a release clause.
In the case of Woodburn, it is a case of future potential as the youngster is tipped for greater things at the club. The Welshman has made 10 appearances for the club since his debut last November. Woodburn’s contract is expected to become official once he turns 18 in the middle of October.
He even became the club’s youngest goalscorer when he scored against Leeds United in the League Cup quarter-finals last season. However, it was this year that he came into prominence with electrifying performances both for the club and country.
After earning his Wales senior squad call-up, Woodburn capped his international debut with a goal and was even named as Wales’ ‘Young Player of the Year’.
I don’t foresee a problem in extending the contracts of these two players but the case of Can is still a worry. With Juventus lurking around to snatch him for free, it could be a lost cause.
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