Liverpool must lock down 2028 contracts or risk a disaster

Liverpool have to act immediately to secure contracts that run until 2028 for several key players, or risk losing them as the season draws to a close. The club’s current approach has been described as a recipe for disaster, and the urgency is echoed by supporters and insiders alike.

The big two face expiry

Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are the so‑called ‘big two’ whose deals expire at the end of the campaign. Both are still performing at an elite level, yet they remain on course to leave Liverpool when their contracts run out. The Reds will need to decide how much money to offer and whether the duo actually want to stay.

The outcome of those negotiations will be seismic for the squad, shaping the team’s competitive prospects for the next season.

Midfield contract dilemma

Rio Ngumoha is also in contract talks, with his current deal running through 2028 and discussions centred on extending his stay for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister’s contract also runs until 2028, but he publicly stated at the start of the season that he was not in talks about a new deal.

Liverpool prepares for Virgil van Dijk's departure in 2027

Mac Allister wants a fresh contract, yet Liverpool said they were “not in a position” to grant one after securing new deals for Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai – the two players who arrived alongside the Argentine.

Mac Allister’s form has already shone brighter than either Gravenberch or Szoboszlai, putting him in contention for the club’s best‑player accolade this campaign. His resurgence is attracting interest from rival clubs, which could complicate any future negotiations.

If Liverpool continue to delay, the double‑whammy of a reluctant player and inflated demands could become inevitable. Securing a new deal now would avoid that scenario and keep the midfield core intact.