Liverpool is at a crossroads with three of our most iconic players—Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk. As fans, it’s hard not to feel both hopeful and anxious. These aren’t just contracts; they’re decisions that will shape the soul of our team. Let’s dive into where things stand.
Mohamed Salah: Pay Up or Let Go?
Mo Salah has been nothing short of a phenomenon since joining Liverpool. His stats this season underline why he’s been the heart of our attack. He’s been involved in over 70% of our goals this season. Honestly, it’s impossible to imagine our attack without him. However, his contract runs out in six months, leaving the club at a crossroads.
The Case for Renewal
- Salah’s fitness levels are unmatched; he’s “always” available and performs consistently at an elite level.
- The Egyptian King has expressed a desire to stay, and his love for Liverpool is evident, and the feelings from the fans are mutual.
- Replacing a player of Salah’s caliber would likely cost a fortune, with no guarantees the new player would replicate his impact, it would almost be impossible.
The Challenges
- A long-term contract, possibly three years, would see Salah at 35 when it ends. Is that a risk FSG is willing to take?
- His wages would undoubtedly remain among the highest at the club, potentially causing strain on the wage structure.
Our Take: Just pay him. He takes care of himself like no one else, and his professionalism is unmatched. At his age, Salah is still one of the safest bets in football. We cannot afford to lose our Egyptian King.
Chance of staying: 60%
Trent Alexander-Arnold: The World’s Most Valuable Right-Back?
Trent isn’t just a right-back; he’s a magician with the ball and a key to so many of our attacking moves. However, with his contract situation shrouded in silence, questions linger about his long-term future.
Why Trent Might Leave
- Could he be tempted by a move to Madrid, following in the footsteps of players like Owen and McManaman?
- Trent’s attacking style might suit clubs in Spain or Italy, where defensive responsibilities for full-backs are less intense.
The Next Generation
- Conor Bradley is emerging as a potential replacement. But could he really step into Trent’s shoes, or would we need to spend big to find someone else?
Our Take: Trent probably the easiest of the three to replace, but his departure would still leave a significant gap. He is “the Scouser in our team”, and it means more to have the local lads winning the league with us. If he were to leave, it will definitely be a sad day to be a Liverpool supporter. Hopefully he will sign a new deal, but the feeling is that he is closer to leaving than staying.
Chance of Staying: 30%
Virgil van Dijk: The Captain’s Future
Virgil is our captain, our defensive anchor, and one of the greatest defenders the Premier League has ever seen. At 32, he’s still playing at an elite level, but his age naturally raises questions about a long-term commitment.
The Argument for Extending
- Virgil’s leadership and ability remain unmatched, and he’s shown no signs of decline since fully recovering from his ACL injury.
- Finding a defender of his caliber in the transfer market is nearly impossible.
Potential Roadblocks
- FSG may hesitate to offer a significant extension given his age and the financial implications.
- However, reports suggest progress in negotiations, giving fans hope he’ll stay.
Our Take: Virgil is irreplaceable. While age is a concern, his performances show he’s far from finished. Liverpool should secure his future for as long as possible, and I think we will.
Chance of staying: 75%
It’s Time to Make the Big Decisions
The decisions on Salah, Trent, and Virgil go far beyond contracts—they’re about preserving the identity of this team. Balancing loyalty, performance, and financial sustainability is a delicate task, but these decisions will define the next chapter of Liverpool FC. Fans are watching closely, hoping the club makes the right moves.
Replacing any one of these incredible players in the market would be near impossible and astronomically expensive. Considering Liverpool has spent around £250 million net over the last five years, it would likely take the same amount just to replace our three stars—and that’s simply not realistic.
Another factor to consider is how this uncertainty is affecting both the team and us supporters. The longer this drags on, the more pressure will build. Every time we lose a match, Trent makes a bad pass, Salah misses a shot, or Virgil loses a duel, the contracts will inevitably become a talking point.
In an ideal world, these situations would have been resolved long ago, sparing the team and fans unnecessary stress. Instead, here we are, with the future of our most iconic players hanging in the balance. Frankly, it’s infuriating that FSG has allowed things to drag on to this point – and someone should have to answer for this mess. That said, here we are, and it’s crucial we address this quickly. The best-case scenario is that all three sign new deals, securing their futures at the club and strengthening the team for years to come. Realistically, though, it feels like Salah and van Dijk are likely to stay, while Trent might be on his way to Madrid.
What do you think? Should the club go all-in to keep Salah, Trent, and Virgil, or is it time to prepare for a new chapter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
the ARNE SLOT MACHINE blog 
Leave a comment