Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has insisted that handing Glen Johnson a new contract is one of his transfer 'priorities' this summer. Rodgers is a huge fan of the 29-year-old, who he describes as "one of the best full-backs in the world". Johnson will have just one year left on his current contract once the season has finished, and Rodgers does not want to risk losing the former Chelsea, West Ham and Portsmouth defender "We are seeing now the player we all know Liverpool had - which is one of the best full-backs in the world" "It's important for me with how we play that the full-backs can get up, join in and make runs in behind. We are seeing now the player we all know Liverpool had - which is one of the best full-backs in the world," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. "We want to keep Glen here, there is no question about that, especially now he's in this form. He's 29 and we feel that he has still got good years ahead of him. "No contracts will be looked at until the summer but his will be a priority for us, especially if he continues in the form that he's in. "The beauty of this is we want to keep Glen and Glen loves it here. We just need to find a solution which is good for both. "If we can do that then the club will have a very good player for years to come. "We have other players like young Jon Flanagan who only has one year left, while Jordan Henderson only has two years left. They have been great and we want to look at those contracts. "That's something that will be for the summer. The players can do themselves no harm by continuing to play in the form they are in. The club will then take a close look at it." Johnson has battled back to full fitness from a number of injury problems, but Rodgers believes that his commitment has never been in doubt. "It's been really difficult for Glen because he has wanted to give so much more," Rodgers said. "He has wanted to put himself out on the training pitch every day and play games but he was nowhere near 100% right. Of course when you put yourself out there you are getting judged. "That is why we had to give him that time out. There was no timeline on it. I just knew there was so much more to come from him. "We needed to come together to find a way to get him back to his best. That meant taking him out in order for him to get back to that level. "Now he's feeling fresh and playing for the first time in ages without any injuries. Now you see that mobility and running power that he has." http://www1.skysports.com/football/...ermined-to-tie-down-glen-johnson-at-liverpool
Wanted us to go for someone new. I see what he offers on form and it can't be questioned that when he is up for it he is pure quality, but when does that happen? He's long been moping about and taking a squad spot that could be used to develop Kelly or Wisdom, or even Flanagan. If he signs and focuses for the next few years then ok but if he doesn't I hope this contract doesn't come back to haunt us.
Rodgers will always be positive and praise every member of his squad. I expected to hear nothing else from him regarding Johnson (another player playing poor due to injuries apparently - his favourite excuse!) but I hope we either sell/replace or severely reduce his wages if he is to stay.
I agree with Rodgers, and his cool innuendos too: 1) We just need to find a solution which is good for both. 2) his (contract) will be a priority for us, especially if he continues in the form that he's in. 3) I just knew there was so much more to come from him. BR sees both GJ's potential and his mercuriality.
You pay him £110,000 a week? really? WOW.... yet some of you thought Rooney was over paid Youre paying £110,000 a week for nothing.
Telegraph running a story that Real Madrid are interested in him, maybe a good move by BR to drive a transfer price up
They make some weird signings do Madrid so this is entirely possible. Who was that guy from West Ham they signed a few years ago and Di Steffano is like WTF
With the exception of the last game he has been largely pants for the last 16 months. Needs to be more like 60k.
Bloody hell. I wish I could work as half arsed and sub standard as him and get that a year! Never mind per week.
Only this year was he playing well under par. Last year he was ok. People need to forget the past though. Focus on what he can contribute if healthy (physically and mentally). I say, on his better days, like at Cardiff, he's not easy to replace.
"one of the best full-backs in the world". WTF!!!!!!!!! Hes nowhere near the best full backs in the PL and he's a million miles off Lahm. Flanagan has been better for me.
As I said a few months ago, happy to have him stay on, but on 40-50k pw max, not 100k and not as an automatic first choice, we need more competition for RB and LB
He's never going to say he's a terrible full back. Praise him going into the final part of the season in the hope he puts in some good performances and help secure CL or possibly the title.
Embarrassing I know, but you can always count on United too cheer us up again but offering Jones a new contract. Cleverly Jones Who's next?!
