Six contracts Liverpool need to get nailed down this summer
By David Gate
No. 1: Roberto Firmino
But surely Mohamed Salah is first? Not for me. This is the most important thing Liverpool need to this summer. It is the most crucial signing for the immediate future if the club; tie Roberto Firmino to Anfield until his thirties.
At 26-years-old he is reaching his prime and is having the best season of his career this year. He has 25 goals and 11 assists with six or (please God) seven games left to play. That is evidence enough that he deserves a new deal; a productive center forward is always worth good money.
But we all know that his value goes beyond that. He is the maestro that dictates the tempo of the Liverpool attack. He is perfect as a fluid number nine who can interchange with the wider players with ease. He can pick the ball up deep in the ‘number 10’ spot or sit on the shoulder of the last defender.
He gives Jurgen Klopp every tactical option in his playbook. He is a perfect fit for the German manager’s system.
His work rate is becoming a Kop legend; chasing, pressing and winning back the ball. He has more tackles this season in the Premier League than every center back at a big 6 club apart from Cesar Azpilicueta. This is the number one Liverpool priority in the summer of 2018.