Transfer Q&A – What Liverpool are saying about new contracts and whether fans are right to question Richard Hughes

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Liverpool’s January transfer window ended with a whimper, as the Reds failed to make a signing once again.

Sitting top of the pile in the Premier League, there was arguably no need for Liverpool to do any real business in the New Year.

However, having signed only one player since the end of the 2023 summer window, Reds fans are getting a little frustrated with the lack of activity.

The summer promises to be busy at Anfield, though, and ahead of some changes to the Liverpool squad, Rousing The Kop transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has answered some burning questions.

Can we expect to see movement on new contracts with January out of the way?

With no distractions in the market, Liverpool now have their final chance to secure Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold to new contracts.

And according to Bailey, the message from Liverpool is very much that progress is expected relatively soon on Van Dijk at least.

However, the journalist sounds a much darker tone surrounding Alexander-Arnold, insisting that the 26-year-old will not sign an extension at Anfield.

“The message from the club is yes,” says Bailey. “I am still told that confidence remains over Virgil van Dijk. But progress has not been seen with Salah or Trent, although the latter we know is leaving.”

“That aside, we will see movement with Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz – that is the plan.”

Are Liverpool fans right to be worried about a lack of signings across last three windows?

With only Federico Chiesa added to the squad since September 2023, Liverpool fans have been getting anxious over a perceived lack of squad planning.

But Bailey suggests that the proof will be in the pudding if the Reds manage to get their hands on multiple trophies this season.

READ MORE: Liverpool’s busy summer plans revealed as big changes expected in five different positions

“Not really,” he said when asked if fans are right to be worried. “Although it has been tough with the club’s footballing hierarchy changing and they have inherited a tough situation it has to be said.

“But they need to make sure that the same thing doesn’t repeat itself with the likes of the aforementioned Konate, Jones and Diaz.

“Let’s see – if the season ends with Liverpool winning the quadruple, then the answer is no – but I’m not sure Liverpool fans will agree.”

Is supporter criticism of Richard Hughes justified?

Bearing the brunt of the criticism has been sporting director Richard Hughes, who has come under fire for an apparant lack of proactivity in the market.

Asked if Hughes deserves the backlash, though, Bailey is more level-headed.

“Not at all, the club are not lacking – look at their rivals – Arsenal are clearly lacking attacking options, Man City have just spent nearly £200m to enhance their squad whilst Chelsea are looking light in the goalkeeper department and up-front,” he retorts.

“Liverpool are the best set squad in the Premier League but things are going to change this summer. Doing a lot of business in January is rarely seen as a good thing. Let’s talk again in September – the summer window is going to be huge for Hughes and Liverpool.”

How close was Tyler Morton’s move to Middlesbrough?

Something that Hughes did nearly get done in January was ship midfielder Tyler Morton off to Middlesbrough.

Boro were keen on Morton on transfer deadline day, but a late move never quite materialised. And according to Bailey, things did not really get off the ground.

READ MORE: Liverpool told they will ‘look back and regret’ January decision over Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

“The interest was there,” he says. “Boro spoke about to Liverpool but am told the player himself was not 100% convinced – there was no guarantee of first-team football and the price was high, well too high for Boro.”

As a Boro fan, how is Ben Doak getting on/is he good enough for Liverpool’s first-team?

Being a boyhood Middlesbrough fan, Bailey is well-placed to comment on how Liverpool loanee Ben Doak is getting on at the Riverside this season.

Doak has been earning rave reviews after taking the Championship by storm, but Bailey sounds a word of caution on his progress.

“Boro fans are pretty well placed to know a good wingers when we see one, from Stuart Ripley and Stewart Downing to Bolo Zenden and Gaizka Mendieta – we have seen them all in the not too distant past,” he says.

“In terms of Doak, I like him he is an old fashioned winger who likes to beat his man on the outside, not the modern way with all the inverse wingers used today and that is part of the problem I think he has with his Liverpool future.

“Liverpool use inverse wingers and I don’t see how Doak fits in,” Bailey continues. “He is doing well, but if I compared him to someone like Fabio Carvalho – he is not at that level yet. As a Boro fan I would like to keep him and we have half a chance of we go up. But I do think the chances are he will be sold by Liverpool.”