Liverpool are in no rush to agree new deals with key first-team duo James Milner and Sadio Mane, according to reliable journalist James Pearce.
The Liverpool Echo reporter claimed in a Q&A on Wednesday that the club were in talks with Mane’s representatives and were keen to reward him with a lucrative deal, although talks have not yet led to anything.
It is said that Mane is happy at Anfield and the club enjoy a positive relationship with his agent, with concern only required if talks are still ongoing by next season.
Pearce further claimed that Milner’s current deal runs until 2020 and the club are therefore in no rush to renew, with Milner to be 34 at the end of the contract, meaning an extension depends on his performances over the next year.
OPINION
This is an interesting double update from Pearce on two of Liverpool’s most-important players this season. Milner has surprised everyone with his brilliant form for the Reds, with the experienced midfielder managing to retain his starting place despite the signings they made in the summer. People had even expected the former England international to drop out of the side last season, but he continues to impress even into this campaign. That is a tribute to his fitness and professionalism, and it therefore would not be a surprise if Liverpool did hand him a new deal in 2020. That being said, Milner may look for a new challenge at that point, and would leave the club as a much-loved member of a quality side. Mane is a slightly more worrying one, although as Pearce points out, there is no rush. The Senegal international has shown no signs of wanting to leave, and the club are obviously willing to handsomely reward him for his form. All in all this is promising news for the Reds.
