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Premier League: Liverpool defender Glen Johnson resigned to Anfield exit

Liverpool's Glen Johnson celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool.
Image: Glen Johnson: Joined Liverpool from Portsmouth in 2009

England and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson appears to be planning for life outside of Anfield at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract and says he will not "go crawling" to the club in search of a new deal, raising the prospect of him leaving as a free agent.

Johnson joined Liverpool from Portsmouth in 2009 for £18m and has made 183 appearances for the club, 

Talks did take place over the summer with regards to an extended deal but no agreement was reached over personal terms, with Liverpool understood to be pushing for the player to accept a cut in wages.

"I have enjoyed the majority of the six years; I've had some good times and some bad times, but if I haven't got a contract then I can't stay," said Johnson.

"Of course it plays on your mind but that is when you have to be professional and try to do a job for your team, and I respect my team-mates and I want to put in a performance for them.

"I want to play for a club that wants me - I am not going to go crawling to anybody. The club know where I am and they know the situation.

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Brendan Rodgers is hoping the 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield will help and get confidence back in to his squad.

"There were minor talks at the end of last season but nothing I could accept or reject."

Johnson, who scored a late winner for Liverpool in the 1-0 win over Stoke on Saturday, said he would not let the uncertainty over his future affect his performance levels.

"Whether it is football or business I don't really worry about things I can't control," he said,

"All I can do is try to keep doing my job every weekend and whatever will unfold will unfold.

"It is not my business to talk to other clubs at the moment. I want to play my football, keep winning for Liverpool and I want to respect my contract, and that is what I am willing to do."

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