Liverpool have been urged to tie down Jordan Henderson to a new contract by ex-star Jose Enrique, who has also tipped Renato Sanches to move to Anfield.
Writing in his column for the Empire of the Kop, former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has called on the club to hand captain Jordan Henderson a new contract at the earliest.
Henderson, who is a vital cog in the scheme of things for Liverpool, has two years left on his current deal. And, recent reports suggested that talks over a new deal had stalled due to the club’s policy of handing just one-year extensions to players above thirty. This resulted in speculations over his future as well, with a move to Atletico Madrid also being mooted.
Enrique, though, has insisted that it is important Liverpool hand him a new contract, comparing Henderson’s importance to that of former captain and club legend, Steven Gerrard.
“Henderson isn’t Salah or Mane, but in terms of importance to the club, and I played with him, it’s like Steven Gerrard. They’re different types of players, but it’s the same as well – he’s the captain of the club, he’s been representing the club for many years. I was actually mad when the rumours came out about the ongoing contract situation, because they’re just rumours,” Enrique wrote.
“If they’re true, I don’t know what the club are thinking. I understand there’s a policy which affects older players, but look at Milner – probably the fittest guy in the team. They need to get Henderson tied down on a new deal, just like they need to with Salah and van Dijk.”
Enrique backs Renato Sanches to join Liverpool
In his column, Jose Enrique also gave his two cents about Liverpool’s pursuit of LOSC Lille midfielder Renato Sanches. The former defender is of the opinion that the Portuguese midfielder is ready for another move to a big club after his failed stint at Bayern Munich and backed Liverpool to make a move for him.
“Renato Sanches is a player I do know a little bit more about – he has the potential to be a world-class player. He moved to a big, big club when he was very young and sometimes these kinds of transfer are not easy to handle. But maybe now it’s the time for him to make a step into a bigger team. With one year left on his contract, he could be a good signing for us.”
“We’d have to make it clear to him, though, that we already have Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho, who will probably be our starting three in midfield. If he can accept that, for the money it’d take to sign him with one year left on his contract, I believe he could be a great signing for Liverpool,” he opined.
Traore pursuit questioned
However, Enrique did express some concerns about Liverpool’s pursuit of Adama Traore. The former left-back claimed that the Wolves ace may not be an upgrade over Xherdan Shaqiri and Diogo Jota. “I don’t think he’s an upgrade on Shaqiri, but maybe he could bring a new dimension to the team because of the type of player he is. He’s quick, he’s strong, but I don’t think he’s better than, let’s say, Diogo Jota,” he wrote.
