Why Liverpool contract talks for Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are crucial

Why Liverpool contract talks for Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are crucial
Why Liverpool contract talks for Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are crucial

Real Madrid have been linked with England’s Alexander-Arnold, who spoke recently about how important winning a Ballon d’Or would be.

Salah has been linked with a move to a Saudi Arabian club since their state-funded transfer spree started last year.

The Reds rejected a £150m bid for him in the summer of 2023 – a big decision to make two years before the end of his deal.

It is a slightly unusual position with contract doubts over three guaranteed starters – especially for a club as big as Liverpool.

But Slot did not seem too concerned about the situation in Friday’s pre-match news conference.

“For me the contract situation could become a problem if the players don’t perform as well as they do at the moment,” Slot said.

“At the moment all three of them are in a good place, all of them perform really, really, really well.

“There are ongoing discussions, as Virgil said, with the people he has to talk with, and that’s not me. I talk to him about other things.

“Let’s wait and see but all what he said is completely right in that he doesn’t exactly know what the future will be as long as he doesn’t sign the contract yet.”

Liverpool fans that BBC Sport spoke to before the game did not seem too concerned, with many confident the three would stay, although there was a fear that Salah could leave for Saudi Arabia.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Friday Social, thinks Van Dijk, 33, and Salah, 32, are more likely to stay than academy product Alexander-Arnold, 26.

“I’m pretty confident that the two older lads will sign. They are probably at the stage of their careers where it is difficult to move to a better club than Liverpool,” he said.

“I think Salah will be desperate to break as many records as he can at Liverpool.

“I think the argument will be when you are up for that last contract and it’s not really about money but length of the contracts as you get older.

“Trent is in a different situation and that’s probably the one people are most worried with with Real Madrid potentially interested. Dani Carvajal has just done his ACL so they are probably desperate for a right-back for the next 18 months.”

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