Michael Edwards’ return could result in uncertain contract talks with Liverpool mainstays Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson.
According to a report by Football Insider, Liverpool are working hard to bring Michael Edwards back to the club ahead of next season. The Reds feel he is the right man to lead them into the new era after the departure of Jurgen Klopp. While his return will be a huge positive, it could complicate contract talks with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson.
Klopp’s departure & Edwards return
The news of Klopp’s departure came as a surprise to one and all. While his departure will leave a huge void, Liverpool have started to do their best to ensure they maintain the level touched during the Klopp era.
Michael Edwards was the club’s sporting director during the majority of Klopp’s time at Anfield. The 44-year-old had done wonders for the club in terms of transfers and other football operational work.
Liverpool are looking to bring Edwards back to the club as they feel he could help them transition smoothly into the new era. They are willing to offer him an even bigger role this time out and he will have a lot more power over transfers and contracts than he did last time out.
In 2021, Liverpool handed 31-year-old Jordan Henderson a four-year deal despite the fact that Edwards was pushing for a shorter contract. The Reds did it back then because of Klopp’s loyalty towards his players.
Contract talks with Liverpool trio get complicated
But, this time around if the Merseyside club manage to bring him back which looks highly likely, he will have more power in such a decision and the 44-year-old is unlikely to hand out long-term contracts to their senior players. As a result of which, contract talks with Salah, Van Dijk and Robertson are going to get complicated.
Salah will turn 32 in June while Van Dijk will be 33 next month, their contracts run out in the summer of 2023. They are expected to be offered new deals before the end of the season but those might be just short-term extension offers.
Meanwhile, Robertson will be 30 next March and his contract runs out in 2026. As a result, talks with the Scottish full-back will also be complicated. With Edwards unlikely to hand them long-term deals it will be interesting to see if all three of them are willing to commit to short-term offers.
