David Ornstein: Liverpool star's contract situation is now 'unusual'

The Athletic's David Ornstein says the contract situation for one Liverpool star is now 'unusual'. Here's what that means.

The full extent of Liverpool's contract crisis - and it really is a crisis at this point - is something to behold. It's difficult to remember something like this happening to any club, not just the Reds.

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But Liverpool could lose their three most important outfield players this summer. Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold's contracts all expire and as things stand, they're all off for free.

It feels impossible that all remain beyond this season, if any. The thing is, though, this isn't the entire crisis. Liverpool's ridiculous situation goes beyond 'just' these three.

Ibrahima Konate is one causing trouble. His contract doesn't expire until 2026 but that means he'll enter the final year this summer.

Liverpool face a decision - sell while they can or risk losing him for free while trying to get him to sign. Anfield Watch understands Paris Saint-Germain will try hard to convince him this year.

Caoimhin Kelleher is a player Liverpool would rather keep but again, he enters the final year this summer. The club almost certainly needs to sell him.

But wait - there's more!

Luis Diaz is creating a complicated situation, too, and it's one The Athletic's David Ornstein labels 'unusual'.

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Luis Diaz and Liverpool

Luis Diaz signed for Liverpool a little over three years ago now. The strange thing is that the Colombian remains on his initial contract.

Liverpool like to sign players with promises of quick pay bumps for good performances. Players don't necessarily arrive on the money they 'want' but can quickly earn far more if they perform.

Diaz's displays have been in this strange middle ground where he's good enough to play regularly but hasn't quite forced Liverpool to bump his pay. And so he sits on his initial wage.

We wrote nearly a year ago that he'd be justified to push for a transfer on the back of that. Per Capology, Diaz earns under half of Cody Gakpo's salary, for instance.

Even if you consider Gakpo to be the superior player, that's a crazy discrepancy for two players who started the campaign on an even footing.

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Ornstein, answering questions from fans for the Athletic, gave an update on the 'unusual' situation.

"Still no sign of a new contract, which is unusual for such a prominent player who has been at Anfield for as long as Diaz," he wrote. "Barcelona have long been linked with him; their admiration is genuine.

"There was definitely something in the Man City reports last summer, too. If he is available, there will be many suitors!"

We do believe the lack of contract will mean Diaz is off this summer. Anfield Watch understands a major overhaul of the attack is on the way - and that means shipping the winger off.

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