You can understand why though? He's a Scouser and vice captain who still hasn't put pen to paper on a new deal and has a year left in the summer. Of course people are going to speculate.
speculation sure, but the "negative narrative" takes root and is hard to shift.
how about: he's signed a new deal but it's not gonna be announced until the new manager is announced, as a sign of solidarity and support for the guy?
anyone can make stuff up.