Just two days after sinking Stoke City with a late goal, Liverpool defender Glen Johnson says it’s not Reds or bust in talks of a new contract.
With eight appearances at right-back this season, Johnson has been up and down like most of the club, but his goal on Saturday proved massive and could go a long way towards earning a new deal.
“I have enjoyed the majority of the six years; I’ve had some good times and some bad times, but if I haven’t got a contract then I can’t stay,” Johnson said.
Rodgers has chosen Johnson over other fullbacks - whether by choice or by injury - such as Jon Flanagan, Javier Manquillo, and Jose Enrique. He just turned 30 towards the beginning of the season, and has made 183 appearances for Liverpool since coming over from Portsmouth in 2009, but the situation currently has Johnson’s mind wandering.
“Of course it plays on your mind but that is when you have to be professional and try to do a job for your team, and I respect my team-mates and I want to put in a performance for them,” Johnson said. “I want to play for a club that wants me - I am not going to go crawling to anybody. The club know where I am and they know the situation.
Liverpool fans will cringe a bit at his admission of the distraction, but with the deal running out this coming July, things are coming down to the wire.
Johnson admitted there has been little since the summer in the way of contract talks, which is a bit concerning to him. “There were minor talks at the end of last season but nothing I could accept or reject.”
The expiring contract also makes him eligible to sign a pre-contract with any club on a free come January, another major factor in these discussions. But at the moment, it doesn’t sound like there’s much movement. His numbers this season aren’t jumping off the page, with just an 85% passing accuracy as well as just 10 tackles completed and two chances created according to Squawka statistics. But with Liverpool struggling for consistency, his experience is surely vital.
