Liverpool should offer one new contract as drain on wage bill finally set to leave

It's now only a matter of time before Arne Slot is confirmed as the new Liverpool manager in place of the departing Jurgen Klopp.

And there could be some decisions for the Dutchman to be part of before he even officially takes charge, with three players falling out of contract.

As things stand, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Adrian are all set to walk away at the end of the season and have been able to talk with clubs from abroad since January.

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But here the ECHO's Liverpool writers debate whether the Reds should look to extend the Anfield stay of any of the imminently-exiting triumvirate.

Thiago has been a drain on the wage bill, younger, more durable replacement needed

Paul Gorst: Having played just five minutes of football in 12 months, it's fair to say it's been terrible period for Thiago Alcantara.

To compound matters from Liverpool's perspective, the gifted midfielder would have been a real asset for Jurgen Klopp's side as they aimed to take more control of games as they hunted down the title in recent months.

Reportedly earning close to £200,000 a week, Thiago has earned an eye-watering amount while being unable to contribute anything on the pitch itself these past 12 months. In truth, that is the way it has generally been for him since his 2020 switch.

It's why a free transfer beckons for the one-time Barcelona and Bayern Munich star, freeing up a big chunk of change on the wage bill to hopefully be reinvested into younger, more durable midfielders capable of really helping out.

Thiago's final year has been one to forget and you cannot