A late diving header from Glen Johnson on Sunday earned Liverpool a goal and a much needed win against Stoke City. The win snapped the club's losing streak, and for Johnson the goal earned him a modicum of good will amongst a supporter base that has found the right back's performances to be anything but inspiring for quite some time now. Despite the back-patting, though, Johnson remains clear that the ball is in Liverpool's court when it comes to his future in red.
"First and foremost, I want to play for a club that wants me," Johnson said on the subject of a contract extension. "It’s as plain and simple as that. I’ve seen some stuff in the press about being offered half my current salary but that’s not true. I haven’t been offered anything. There were minor talks at the end of last season but nothing I could either accept or reject.
"The club know where I am. I’ve not spoken to the club and we’re not speaking at the moment. They know the situation. I’m not going to go crawling to anybody. Of course I’d like to stay. I have always enjoyed my time here but if I don’t have a contract then I can’t stay."
Much has been made about Johnson's mentality and whether or not he lacks the required heart to play for Liverpool of late, but these do not sound like the words of a man who is necessarily fighting for his place in the side going forward. If they club have not offered a new contract at this point, it seems unlikely they'll be swayed by a moment of greatness in a single match.
If Johnson's future does lie away from Anfield — and so far all signs point to yes — then it will be up to the club whether or not to sell him in January in order to recoup a minor transfer fee or to let him go on a free transfer in the summer. Johnson's recent presene in the starting line-up over Javier Manquillo has caused some head scratching, but if the Englishman is being put in the shop window for a January sale then the club's silence on his contract speaks volumes.