OPINION
With Liverpool reportedly set to be planning on offering Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah new contracts, it shows they have learnt an important lesson.
The Daily Mirror reported that the Reds were set to offer Mane a bumper new deal, despite his current contract having three years left, and the club were then planning on handing Salah a new deal.
The newspaper claimed that Liverpool wanted to reward the attacking pair for their impressive form and hand them deals that reflected their current market value.
Salah has scored 30 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions, with Mane getting 12 goals in 28 outings, which means both would garner huge transfer bids if another club was to try and take them away from the Reds.
While their impressive form does deserve to be recognised by the club, it’s doubtful that Liverpool’s main motive to splash the cash on keeping the pair is to do with wanting to reward them.
The Reds know that several clubs will try and sign the in-form duo and the club don’t want their heads turned.
As while a new contract would guarantee Liverpool being able to demand a high fee for their talent, they’d rather not sell them.
Therefore by giving them a pay rise ahead of clubs coming in for them, Liverpool ensure they’re happy at the club.
The Reds know, even though both have long left on their contracts, what can happen if a big club comes calling for one of its talents.
Emre Can’s contract, after numerous attempts to extend it, is set to expire in the summer and Juventus, according to the Daily Mirror, are confident they’ll be able to sign him.
Losing the central midfielder is not only a blow due to his talents, but to lose him for free makes the whole experience more painful.
Can has been able to negotiate with other teams since the start of the year, as he entered the final six months of contract, which means that Liverpool have no control over determining the 24-year-old’s future.
Therefore it seems like as Liverpool are resigned to losing Can in the summer, they’re acting extremely early with their other keys players in order to make sure it never happens again.
So while Can’s exit is sad at least it has taught the Reds a valuable lesson.