Liverpool open contract talks with Jordan Henderson but Glen Johnson's future uncertain

Posted Tuesday, October 07, 2014 by Express.co.uk

LIVERPOOL have opened contract talks with Jordan Henderson, but team-mate Glen Johnson admits his Anfield future is uncertain.

Liverpool open contract talks with Jordan Henderson but Glen Johnson's future uncertain
Liverpool have opened contract talks with Henderson but Johnson's future is unclear

Henderson has 20-months remaining on his existing deal and Liverpool are seeking to tie the increasingly influential midfielder down for the long-term.

England striker Daniel Sturridge signed a five-year contract last week and Henderson has been similarly earmarked as crucial to the club's future following his eye-catching progress over the last 18-months.

He can expect a hefty pay rise to reflect is new-found standing as one of Liverpool's most important players and vice-captain to Steven Gerrard.

Henderson, who is with England ahead of their Euro 2016 double header with San Marino and Estonia, is settled on Merseyside and Liverpool will hope for a swift conclusion to the talks.

The future of Johnson is less straight-forward after discussions at the end of last season reached an impasse over both length of contract and wages.

The right-back, who returned from injury as a substitute in the win over West Brom, is a free agent at the end of the season and can negotiate a move abroad from January.

Liverpool are reluctant to match his current £110,000-a-week deal and a breakthrough does not appear to be imminent unless the defender is prepared to accept reduced terms.

"Like you said it's very quiet. I am just concentrating week by week and not thinking about it," said Johnson.

"Of course I want to stay, yeah. But like I say I worry about this week, this week and then next week, next week. That is how I live my life."

The return of Johnson, 30, following a thigh problem came after Roy Hodgson had named his England squad, but the full-back is eager to kick-start his international career.

"I would have preferred the international break to have come next week so I could declare myself fit and available," he said.

"Obviously with the squad being picked last Thursday I haven't played for six weeks so I can't be involved. "Of course I want to go away with the England team and play again for them as well."