Liverpool legend John Aldridge has issued a warning to the club over the future of one unsettled player, calling on the Reds to do everything possible to keep them at Anfield this summer.
Aldridge arrived at Liverpool in January 1987 for £750,000 as the ideal replacement for outgoing Ian Rush.
Despite a slow start to his Anfield career, the Irish international flourished following Rush’s departure, scoring in each of the first nine games of the 1987–88 season and helped Liverpool to an 29 game unbeaten run on their way to the title.
The following season, Aldridge remained prolific, scoring another 31 in all competitions, forming a dynamic forward trio with Peter Beardsley and a returning Ian Rush. However, the return of Rush ultimately displaced Aldridge from Kenny Dalglish’s plans and transfer to Real Sociedad in September 1989 saw his time at Anfield come to an abrupt end.
Scoring goals is what Aldridge did. His tally of 329 league goals in 610 appearances is the six-highest in the history of English football, so he knows a thing or two about attacking play.
In a recent interview, the former Liverpool striker weighed in one of the club’s ongoing summer transfer sagas, making it clear that Liverpool must keep Luis Díaz.
“Liverpool also can’t allow Luiz Diaz’s contract to run down and him leave for free. There’s so much happening at Liverpool right now; they don’t need another saga with a player’s contract – we all saw what happened with Trent Alexander-Arnold.”
Díaz’s name continues to swirl around the transfer market rumour mill, but despite Liverpool’s public insistence that the Colombian winger is not for sale, the uncertainty surrounding his future is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The root of the issue lies in the 28-year-old’s current contract. He has two years remaining on the terms he signed when he arrived from Porto in January 2022. However, despite his growing influence and importance in the squad, there has been no movement on a new deal — at least not publicly.
Amid all this, Aldridge has urged the club to act decisively and made his opinion clear.
“If it was down to me, I’d give Diaz a new contract – I want him to stay.”
From Díaz’s camp, the message appears to be firm — extend his contract with improved terms or allow him to leave. The winger is understood to have made it clear to the club that he wishes to explore a move this summer.
Adding fuel to the speculation, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook claimed the Premier League champions may already be lining up a replacement should Díaz depart, with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo mooted as a potential target. That remains speculative for now, but it illustrates just how precarious Díaz’s future is becoming at Anfield.
Whether the solution lies in a new contract or a sale at the right price, what’s clear is that clarity is needed quickly.
For Aldridge, the answer is simple: act decisively, show Díaz he’s valued and avoid another high-profile distraction in a summer of high expectations.
