Szoboszlai Extension Buys Time, But 2027 Hurdles Loom

Dominik Szoboszlai Locks Down a New Deal

Domink Szoboszlai has signed a fresh contract that extends to 2031. The new agreement removes an obvious immediate concern and pushes the deadline well beyond the awkward 2028 window. For a club that has struggled with contract management in recent seasons, the move offers at least temporary peace of mind. It also signals Liverpool’s intent to build around a younger core for the longer term.

The extension, however, is not a panacea. One long‑term deal does not erase the looming cluster of first‑team contracts set to expire in 2027. As the final years of a player’s contract approach, the club’s control diminishes while players gain leverage. Liverpool still faces several high‑profile decisions that cannot be postponed forever.

Szoboszlai’s stay until 2031 fits the broader narrative of locking in a younger group of talents. The club now has a solid backbone of under‑30 players on extended deals, but the spotlight remains on the 2027 cohort. Managing those negotiations will define the next phase of Liverpool’s planning.

The 2027 Contract Tightrope

Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk enter the final year of their contracts next summer, guaranteeing intense speculation throughout the season. Both senior defenders are elite operators whose futures demand clarity for Liverpool’s back‑line strategy. If the club wants to keep them past 2027, decisive talks must begin promptly. If not, the search for successors becomes an urgent priority.

Curtis Jones also falls into the 2027 bracket, a homegrown midfielder whose development trajectory will shape Liverpool’s engine room. Jones’s status is complicated by his youth and emerging reputation, making his contract situation pivotal for the club’s midfield vision. Andoni Iraola will need to decide whether Jones fits the medium‑term plan or if alternative options should be explored. The decision carries financial and strategic weight, as younger English talents rarely command discounted fees once their value is recognised.

Joe Gomez feels like a separate case, with many believing his Liverpool chapter will wind down after more than a decade. The club expects a final season in 2026‑27, if he remains that long, before moving on. Gomez’s experience could still be valuable, but Liverpool must plan for a transition at the back‑four spot. Meanwhile, Kostas Tsimikas and Wataru Endo are seen as squad players whose contracts will expire, presenting clear windows for either extension or departure.

Other expiring contracts to watch

Freddie Woodman, as third‑choice keeper, does not dominate Liverpool’s strategic talks, yet his contract status is noted. Goalkeeper depth is a recurring theme at Anfield, and Woodman’s eventual departure could open space for youth promotion. Harvey Davies and Calvin Ramsay are also slated to become free agents, though they sit on the fringe of the senior squad. Their futures will likely be decided based on development progress rather than immediate first‑team needs.

Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic have shown flashes of quality but must now prove they merit longer deals. Both players need to convince Iraola they are more than rotational assets, and their continued progression will determine contract extensions. Talent alone is not enough; consistent relevance on the pitch is the key factor for Liverpool’s renewal decisions. Their performances over the next few months will shape the club’s thinking on future commitments.

Mac Allister, Ngumoha and the midfield puzzle

Alexis Mac Allister remains the lone major 2023 midfield arrival without fresh terms, making his contract situation the most obvious story line. His performance this season will heavily influence whether Liverpool lock him in or consider a move. Elite clubs are always watching, and any sign of uncertainty will be magnified. If Mac Allister stays central to the plan, renewal talks become a timing issue rather than a debate about necessity.

Rio Ngumoha, still 18, is a different conversation because of his age, yet his potential is a genuine asset. Liverpool view him as a serious prospect and expect to wrap up a sturdier deal once he reaches the milestone. Delay carries risk, but early action would signal confidence in his development. The club’s approach will likely mirror that of other top‑class youth talents they have signed in the past.

2028 targets: Chiesa and Jaros

Federico Chiesa and Vitezslav Jaros are both set to become free agents in 2028, adding another layer of complexity to Liverpool’s contract calendar. Chiesa’s future looks doubtful long before that date, and moving him this summer would be a clean solution. If the club decides to part ways, it can reinvest the funds elsewhere, a typical window for reshaping squads. Jaros’s situation is more delicate, as goalkeeper planning often involves uncertainty and injury history.

Jaros is currently recovering from a serious knee injury, which reshapes the immediate equation and forces Liverpool to weigh short‑term reliability against long‑term potential. If Alisson eventually departs in 2027, the void will need filling, and Jaros could be a candidate if his health improves. The club’s medical assessment will be decisive in determining whether to retain him or seek alternatives.

Liverpool’s Young Core Takes Shape

Some positives exist, and they are real. Conor Bradley, tied to 2029, already represents the type of player the club should be safeguarding. Full‑backs with Bradley’s upside tend to become expensive once their market value is recognised. The club also has a stable base of talent signed in 2025, with Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong all bound until 2030. Trey Nyoni and Cody Gakpo add further security through the next World Cup cycle.

Further forward, Liverpool have started to shape the next spine of the team. Giorgi Mamardashvili is widely viewed as Alisson’s eventual successor, and his deal length reflects that expectation. Centre‑back prospects Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet also feature in the long‑term blueprint. Up front, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike sit on six‑year agreements, giving the club a strong attacking platform. Ryan Gravenberch, signed through to 2032, currently holds the longest contract at the club, a marker of perceived centrality.

The next steps for Liverpool’s contract strategy

Liverpool are in a better contract position than some fans might have feared, but there is no room for complacency. The 2027 list is long enough to create pressure, and several of those names are not squad fillers—they are serious players. Alisson, Van Dijk, Jones, Elliott, Bajcetic, and Mac Allister all demand proper decisions, whether those decisions lead to renewals, sales, or succession plans. The club’s reputation hinges on how these negotiations are handled.

Contract strategy is not about celebrating one deal and hoping the rest wait politely; it is about sequencing, leverage, and timing. Dominik Szoboszlai’s extension was a solid move that buys the club a few extra months of stability. Yet Liverpool still face a series of high‑stakes talks that will determine the squad’s makeup for the next half‑decade. Effective management of these contracts will set the foundation for future success.

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