Right-back Fredericks starred for West Ham against Liverpool.
Ryan Fredericks impressed against Liverpool on Monday night as West Ham United earned an excellent point against the Premier League leaders – and his improved form could deter the Hammers from offering a contract to Pablo Zabaleta.
Fredericks, 26, managed just his eighth appearance for the Hammers earlier this week after an ankle injury saw the summer signing from Fulham miss out on 11 Premier League matches.
Indeed, the former Tottenham Hotspur defender only returned from the injury in January. He was thrown into the starting line-up against the Reds by Manuel Pellegrini, and he was crucial in keeping Liverpool at bay.
His performance against Jurgen Klopp’s side is likely to keep Zabaleta on the bench, with the Hammers taking on Crystal Palace on Saturday at Selhurst Park. His return to the side and excellent Liverpool display may earn him a run in the side.
Zabaleta, meanwhile, is in the final months of his Hammers contract after joining the club on a two-year deal in the summer of 2017 from Manchester City on a free.
The Argentina international needs game time to prove that he is worthy of a contract extension at the London Stadium, with Spotrac claiming the former Espanyol defender earns a whopping £75,000 a week.
But if Fredericks continues the level of performance he showed against Liverpool, then Zabaleta will have little opportunity to prove his worth and it may see the Argentine leave in June – rather than signing a new deal.
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