Liverpool's Contract Timebomb: Five Reds Who Could Walk for Free Unless Hughes Acts Fast

Picture this: you're nursing a pint, scrolling through the footy news, and Liverpool's contract saga hits you like a Van Dijk tackle. After last season's nail-biter with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all flirting with free agency, the Reds finally locked in the legends. But sporting director Richard Hughes isn't resting on his laurels – he's already bagged Ryan Gravenberch on a juicy six-year deal. Still, 2026 looms large, and here are five more Anfield stars whose futures need sorting, ranked by how much they'll keep you up at night.

The Desperate Dash: Konaté and Szoboszlai Lead the Charge

Top of the pile is Ibrahima Konaté, whose deal runs out this summer. Yeah, you read that right – the French powerhouse could stroll away for nix. He's had dodgy patches, sure, but when he's on it, he's a brick wall. With Van Dijk's clock ticking and no obvious heir, losing him would be daft. As reported by Subhankar Mondal at TEAMtalk, Liverpool are scrambling with a mega offer, but Konaté seems half out the door already. Incoming Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes might soften the blow, but come on, sort this!

Hot on his heels at number two: Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian dynamo who's been Liverpool's heartbeat in a wobbly title defence. Deployed everywhere from box-to-box to set-piece sniper, he's outshone everyone. Contracted till 2028, he's loving Merseyside life, but the Reds should be begging him to sign till the 2030s. No fan's complaining – this lad's your new midfield kingpin.

Midfield Mayhem and Keeper Conundrums

Dropping to three, Alexis Mac Allister's got punters scratching heads. The Argie's been class overall, but this term's been a dip – think Sir Alex Ferguson refreshing United's squad at key moments. Deal to 2028, but with Real Madrid sniffing (post-Kroos/Modrić void), summer could be sell-high time. His old man says no new contract chats yet, and eyeing Gravenberch's wages (£150k/week), he might want a bump. Big call for Slot.

Number four: Alisson Becker, the Brazilian shot-stopper who's still world-beater material at 33. Paired with VVD and Salah's 2027 expiries, that's a nightmare trio. Injuries nag, and backup Giorgi Mamardashvili hasn't wowed yet, so another extension feels inevitable. Blokes like him defy Father Time – think Neuer or Courtois in their pomp.

Academy Ace and Selling Temptations

Rounding out at five: homegrown hero Curtis Jones. Versatile as they come – midfield maestro, line-breaker, even right-back in a pinch – but Slot's undercooked him this season. 18 months left, and Inter Milan plus Tottenham circled in January (Spurs desperate if they dodge the drop). Liverpool blocked a move then, per Evening Standard via OneFootball, but a fat cheque might tempt them to cash in on their lad. Time's on their side, but don't sleep on it.

Hughes has his work cut out to build Slot's dynasty without last year's chaos repeating. Proactive on Gravenberch? Tick. But Konaté's ticking clock is deafening. If they nail these, Anfield's sorted for the next era. Fingers crossed, eh? What's your priority – sound off in the comments.

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