Liverpool’s recent success has been built on key players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. These three players are not only crucial to Liverpool’s performance but are also nearing the end of their contracts, creating significant uncertainty for the club. With all three players eligible to negotiate with other clubs in nine weeks, Liverpool faces the risk of losing them without any transfer fees. This situation is particularly sensitive given that it follows the departure of long-standing manager Jurgen Klopp, who led Liverpool to multiple trophies.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards emphasized the importance of securing Salah’s future at Liverpool, describing him as a player who can make game-winning impacts even on less-than-perfect days. Richards advocates for a two-year extension for Salah, whose ability to consistently score goals defines him as a top player. Echoing this sentiment, ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold as the club’s “most influential players,” crediting them, along with goalkeeper Alisson, as major contributors to Liverpool’s strong season start.
The start has indeed been impressive under new manager Arne Slot. Since his arrival, Liverpool has won 13 of their 15 games, including a recent match against Brighton. In this game, Salah showcased his skill with a winning goal that took Liverpool to the top of the Premier League. The goal was Salah’s 48th Premier League match-winner, and he now sits fifth on Liverpool’s all-time top scorers list, only a few goals shy of the legendary Billy Liddell. Slot praised Salah’s skill, calling his goal a “Mo Salah special,” underscoring how integral Salah is to Liverpool’s success.
Van Dijk, now Liverpool’s captain, also proved his value, setting up an equalizer for Cody Gakpo after Brighton had taken an early lead. Since Van Dijk joined Liverpool for £75 million in 2018, the trio of Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold has played together in about 59% of Liverpool’s matches, leading to 154 wins out of 221 games, with a win rate that drops significantly when they aren’t on the field together.
Beyond their individual performances, these three players form the core of Liverpool’s most successful teams, contributing to their Champions League and Premier League triumphs as well as FA Cup and League Cup victories. Salah’s contributions, in particular, are remarkable, as he ranks among the top players in combined Premier League goals and assists. Alexander-Arnold has also shown his playmaking ability, with an impressive number of assists and free-kick goals.
Despite their significance, the futures of all three players remain uncertain. Alexander-Arnold, the youngest of the trio, has attracted interest from Real Madrid. Salah has also been linked to Saudi Arabian clubs, especially after Liverpool rejected a substantial £150 million offer from the Saudi league in 2023. Slot, however, expressed confidence in their commitment, noting that they are all performing at a high level, though he acknowledged that contract negotiations remain ongoing.
Liverpool fans are cautiously optimistic, with many hoping that at least Van Dijk and Salah will remain. Carragher believes that the two older players may be more likely to stay, given that they are in the latter stages of their careers. Alexander-Arnold’s situation, however, is more uncertain, especially with Real Madrid reportedly interested due to a recent injury to their right-back Dani Carvajal. Liverpool may find it challenging to retain Alexander-Arnold amid Madrid’s interest, making his contract situation the most pressing among the three.
In summary, while Liverpool is thriving on the pitch, the off-field negotiations with Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold will shape the club’s future. Their influence has been vital, and securing their contracts could be essential to Liverpool’s continued success.
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