Glen Johnson has cemented his place among world soccer’s best fullbacks during his Liverpool career, and Brendan Rodgers wants to keep him in place for the long term.
On Tuesday, the Liverpool manager told the Liverpool Echo that he plans to discuss a new contract with Johnson after this season.
“We want to keep Glen here,” Rodgers said. “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.”
While injuries have disrupted Johnson’s season, Rodgers says he is back to his best and making important contributions to Liverpool’s tactical scheme.
“Now he’s feeling fresh and playing for the first time in ages without any injuries,” Rodgers said. “Now you see that mobility and running power that he has.
“It’s important for me with how we play that the fullbacks 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 fullbacks in the world.”
Johnson turns 30 this summer, and his current contract expires after the 2014-15 season. Rodgers believes the mutual appreciation between Johnson and Liverpool will produce a new contract, which will take the player’s Anfield career past the six-year mark.
“The beauty of this is we want to keep Glen, and Glen loves it here,” Rodgers said. “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.”
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Photo via LiverpoolFC.com
