Looking to get contracts done far earlier these days, Liverpool are now reportedly planning talks with two of Arne Slot’s key players in the coming months.
Liverpool confirm Leoni injury blow
It was meant to be a dream come true for Giovanni Leoni when he stepped out at Anfield for the first time on Tuesday evening. And for 80 minutes it was exactly that. The Italian, at just 18 years old, looked as composed as a veteran centre-back and showed off exactly why the Reds were so keen to secure his arrival from Parma in the summer.
A dream start quickly turned into a nightmare in the 81st minute, however, when Leoni suffered a knee injury that is likely to end his campaign before it’s truly got started.
Liverpool confirmed the news and the defender, himself, took to social media to say: “I want to sincerely thank every single who has shown me support in this difficult moment. It wasn’t the debut I had always dreamed of but I will give everything to be back playing in this magical stadium as soon as possible. Thank you so much.”
For the teenager, it’s an undeniable blow. For Liverpool, it’s a problem that they must now solve. Without Leoni, the Reds have just three senior centre-backs available, with one of those being the injury-prone Joe Gomez. Suddenly, Slot is just two injuries away from turning towards an auxiliary defender.
That said, one of the options that could play there if the emergency situation occurs is reportedly about to enter contract talks and keeping hold of him is now more important than ever.
Liverpool planning Jones & Gravenberch contract talks
As reported by The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are now planning contract talks with Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones.
Gravenberch, now one of the most important players at Anfield, is set to be rewarded for his new role well before his current deal runs out in 2028. Jones, meanwhile, has until 2027 and is arguably due a pay rise up from his current £19,000-a-week salary.
Bailey told TBR: “When it comes to Liverpool contracts, I think Curtis Jones will be sorted pretty soon. Ryan Gravenberch will be the next cab off the rank after that. They know they’ve got a potential world-class player on their hands.
“Previously, they’d been linked with the likes of Caicedo and others, but in Gravenberch, they believe they’ve got someone who, for his age, can hold a candle to anyone in world football. He’ll be dealt with very soon, too.”
It’s deals that both have certainly earned as Premier League champions and that is likely to be reflected in any potential wage increase in the near future.