Andoni Iraola is hopeful that Alisson Becker will extend his Liverpool contract but admits the final decision rests with the goalkeeper himself.
The Brazilian had a one-year extension triggered by the club earlier this year, keeping him at Anfield until the summer of 2027.
Juventus were interested in signing the 33-year-old last summer, however, and the possibility of Alisson leaving as a free agent next year remains a genuine concern for Liverpool.
Iraola has held discussions with sporting director Julian Ward over the situation but acknowledges that the long-serving goalkeeper will ultimately decide his own future.
“I don’t know [if this will be Alisson’s last season], that is a question you have to ask him,” Iraola said. “I hope not, I hope he continues with us for more time.
“But, when you ask me about contracts and these situations, it is a matter for the players and the club.
“Yes we have continuous conversations with Julian but I cannot tell you everything. We talk between us.”
Alisson has come under scrutiny following Liverpool’s last two defeats. A misplaced pass to Jeremy Jacquet against Arsenal last Sunday led to Kai Havertz scoring the winner in a 1-0 Premier League loss.
He was also involved in a mix-up with Cody Gakpo for Fenerbahce’s second goal during Wednesday’s 3-2 Champions League defeat in Turkey.
“I think we’ve conceded goals in the last week against Arsenal and Fenerbahce where it is difficult to blame just one player, especially the Fenerbahce goals,” Iraola added.
“They were messy situations, especially the deflection off Cody Gakpo for the second goal. There have been more players involved than just Alisson.
“Even in the Arsenal goal, it’s true that we messed up in the goal-kick. I assume part of that because I am the one who is telling them to play it.
“But even after we lose the ball we have eight defenders behind the ball, so Ali is not the one more responsible for those goals.
“I agree we did [have some near misses before the Arsenal goal], but it’s not as simple as saying: ‘We shouldn’t do this’, or ‘We shouldn’t continue doing this’.
“If the situation is clear enough we should definitely play it. But if it is not clear enough it is better not to take risks.
“We try to help the players to identify when the situation is clear enough to play those kind of bounces or those kind of balls on our edge, or when the press is so aggressive that we should go more direct.
“Obviously we are going to make some mistakes in this process, yes.”
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