16 Feb 2026 08:33:29
Ed,
Can you please calm my nerves regarding Szobo? Seems like the Real Madrid-machine is in full motion trying to get him.
Do you have any info if he's willing to leave or if he's happy to extend?
{Ed001's Note - he wants to stay. He is a Liverpool fan. Questions should be asked why the club have not sorted it already.}
16 Feb 2026 09:48:37
They can have Alexis McAllister instead for 80m.
16 Feb 2026 10:09:37
Statement one, from any agent - (insert club) are very big fans of him, or - He's a very big fan of (insert club) when any contract negotiations begin!
16 Feb 2026 10:10:30
Every contract extension does seem to be a drama. Not sure whether it's the constant media nowadays that makes it seem worse, but we can't seem to get them sorted quickly or efficiently.
16 Feb 2026 10:12:28
Ed002 always said that Mac Allister was in Real Madrid's long-term planning. Probably as a Toni Kroos successor, in my opinion. Macca would suit Spanish football with his play-acting and technical quality. He'd be less physically exposed.
16 Feb 2026 10:30:52
Agents doing what agents do during contract negotiations. Linking them to rivals.
16 Feb 2026 10:43:30
Marca, the RM mouthpiece, is stirring things up again.
16 Feb 2026 11:10:37
He wants a new deal, Liverpool want to give him a new deal, talks are ongoing, and I'm aware both parties will come to an agreement. ?
16 Feb 2026 11:25:45
A national coach mentions Madrid and panic ensues. The club are in talks with him, he still has two and a half years on his contract so it's not as if we're leaving it late. A few games ago, before the recent flurry of goals, people were happy enough to move him on.
16 Feb 2026 12:02:23
I'd imagine his agent is just trying to add an extra few quid to his contract. Nothing new here. But, yes, while this one doesn't quite fall into that bracket, there is a worrying theme of us struggling to renew contracts. I guess the well-published money Salah and Van Dijk are getting is giving key players something to push for, though.
16 Feb 2026 12:16:47
Has there been any reliable indication that we are struggling with this contract? Or is it just because he apparently dreamed of playing for Madrid as a child?
16 Feb 2026 12:39:54
Apart from he who must not be named, who made a personal choice not to renew, has the club not re-signed? Contract renewals are not simple, and there is generally a lot of money being negotiated, and, from the club's perspective, a need to maintain a wage structure for contracts.
16 Feb 2026 12:41:49
We're not that good at contracts, are we?
16 Feb 2026 12:59:00
Hence the reason Diaz wanted out. Disgraceful giving that much to Gakpo.
16 Feb 2026 16:23:06
To be fair, Ed, Trent is a Liverpool fan. I found it interesting that when TNT compared him with Steven Gerrard, he quickly shot it down and said he wants to write his own story. Fair enough, but there's a single-mindedness in that comment that worries me a little if the likes of Madrid do come calling.
16 Feb 2026 16:42:47
For what it's worth, I think he'll sign on, but if for some reason he wants to go, I've no problem with it if he goes this summer and we get his proper transfer value.