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Bigger priority than Van Dijk: FSG in talks to seal Liverpool agreement

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Published Sep 26, 2026, 6:15 AM GMT+1

Angus is an experienced football writer at Football FanCast, specialising in analytical reporting, opinion and feature writing, with particular expertise in Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

A journalist since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022, Angus has built extensive experience across the football media industry. Before joining Football FanCast, he led VAVEL's Brighton & Hove Albion department, developing experience in club-specific reporting and editorial leadership.

Angus joined Football FanCast through Snack Media's (now Valnet) academy and has since become one of the site's longest-serving writers, progressing into the Opinions and Features team. During his time with Football FanCast, he has produced thousands of articles across a broad range of Premier League clubs and stories.

His work combines analytical reporting, informed opinion and detailed feature writing, with a particular focus on understanding the factors behind performances, transfers and major developments rather than simply reporting the headline. His strongest areas of expertise are Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, although his extensive Premier League coverage has given him a broad understanding of the English top flight.

Angus brings readers experienced, research-led football analysis and considered opinion, using his years of covering the Premier League to provide context, assess players and transfers, and explain what the latest developments mean for clubs and their ambitions.

Liverpool are struggling to find rhythm in the Premier League this season, but there's no question that Andoni Iraola has enjoyed a promising start to life in the dugout.

The Spaniard is unbeaten across seven games in all competitions with the Reds, but he still hasn't got the unit playing to the perfect tune. After such a disruptive 2025/26 campaign, that's understandable, with plenty of creases to iron out.

3 What are Iraola's biggest problems at Liverpool?

Iraola has shored up Liverpool's defence over the first phase of the 2026/27 campaign, raising barriers that were ineffective throughout Arne Slot's second season in charge at Anfield.

However, full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have left so much to be desired throughout the term that it almost beggars belief. These are proven, first-class players who have crumbled away upon alighting at Anfield, and Iraola, who shaped Kerkez into a sensation at Bournemouth, has his work cut out in bringing them back to form.

Finding the key to unlock Florian Wirtz poses an even bigger problem for the gaffer, though. Wirtz joined from Bayer Leverkusen in a £116m deal. He arrived with the reputation as one of the world's most talented playmakers, but he has been a pale imitation of that player under separate managers at Liverpool.

Sorting him out is one of Iraola's biggest priorities, but Liverpool have another conundrum that they may want to consider sorting out, with Virgil van Dijk out of contract at the end of the season.

2 Why Liverpool should extend Van Dijk's contract

Van Dijk is 35 years old, but he has been resurgent at the heart of Iraola's defence, the perfect mentor for the young and exciting Jeremy Jacquet, the stabiliser as the full-backs flatter to deceive.

It's been quite the ride for the Netherlands captain, who joined Liverpool from Southampton for £75m in December 2018, cementing his legacy as one of Europe's greatest defenders, cementing perpetual status as an iconic part of this illustrious Liverpool journey.

His deal expires at the end of the season, sure, but Liverpool have a shortage of experienced options at the back. Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are both immensely talented, but they also young and inexperienced, and Van Dijk's presence as a focal point could pay dividends next season, even if he doesn't start every match for the Reds.

Whether this would be viable from FSG's perspective remains to be seen. But from the sporting side of things, Iraola could benefit deeply from the skipper's continued presence on Merseyside.

It's something to consider, but Liverpool are currently working on an even more important first-team contract.

1 FSG must seal crucial agreement

Liverpool have spent handsomely over the past several years, but Iraola's biggest talent of them all could be someone who first spent time in the development squad.

Indeed, Liverpool are aware that Rio Ngumoha needs to put pen to paper on a long-term contract, having turned 18 in August and thus become eligible for a long-term senior deal beyond the maximum three-year contract he initially signed.

Youngest Scorers in Premier League History

Player

Age

1	Max Dowman	16 yrs, 2 months, 11 days
2	James Vaughan	16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days
3	James Milner	16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days
4	Wayne Rooney	16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days
5	Rio Ngumoha	16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days

That's according to The Athletic, who have also confirmed that Ngumoha's representatives are engaged in talks with FSG officials. When Julian Ward returns to the sporting director role he held in 2022/23 now that Richard Hughes has left for Saudi Arabia, he will assume control of such talks.

Ngumoha might not match Van Dijk in influence right now, but there is so much potential for him to grow into one of the world's best wingers.

"I really believe I can win the Ballon d'Or one day," Ngumoha said in an interview with the Liverpool Academy last August. Not vanity, but a humble conviction in his own skillset.

He has completed a few emphatic finishes already for the Merseysiders, and his pace and energy down the flanks provides the kind of dimension that few are able to master.

Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for £123m in August. Victor Munoz also joined the club from Osasuna for £35m. There is a lot to be excited about, but Ngumoha could outstrip the lot of them, such is the potential that Chelsea failed to recognise when they allowed Liverpool to pinch him as a youth.

If Liverpool fail to extend Ngumoha's terms, there will be no shortage of elite suitors lining up to take him from FSG. They cannot let that happen. This might just be Ward's biggest priority.

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