It seems almost illogical for Reds fans to be worried because of the season the club is enjoying – currently top of the Premier League and having finished top of the Champions League qualifying table, losing only their final match with essentially a second string, though, there is an element of worry among the faithful.
The biggest reason for this is that the contracts of three of the club’s most important players – Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and the almost untouchable Mohamed Salah are set to expire at the end of the season. There are concerns about Alisson Becker as well, though he is contracted until 2027 – despite reports of a new deal being in the offing.
Perhaps, even more worrying is that there has been nothing concrete about new contracts either, in addition to Salah being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, however, it is understood he wants a new contract.
Potential Variations Of What Could Happen
Without a doubt, the most important player of the three is Salah – he has been back to his best this season, though the biggest concern of each of the trio is that they are the other side of 30 – when quite a lot of footballers start to wane.
Right now, there isn’t really anyone in world football that comes close to Salah as a suitable replacement. What appeared to be the strategy a couple of seasons ago was that the club were preparing for the eventuality that when Salah did leave, they would have someone to step straight into his shoes; ala Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo though neither player has really hit the heights of the Egyptian, despite being valuable and effective rotation options.
Offering Salah a new two to three year deal could make sense and then over the next couple of transfer windows bringing in a raw talent who could eventually reach his level once he leaves the club. With a reported buyout clause of £47.5 million, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams (linked with a number of Premier League clubs), would be a sensational, great value, long-term replacement.
In Alisson’s absence this season, Ciaomhin Kelleher has proven to be arguably the best number two goalkeeper in world football, though there are concerns he could also leave.
Alexander-Arnold has long been tipped for a move to Real Madrid when his deal expires at the end of the season and this is looking likelier by the day. Regardless of this, there are many capable players out there in his position that could come in and make an impact, so Liverpool fans should probably not be too worried. Bayer Leverkusen talent Jeremie Frimpong has been eyed and a link-up with Liverpool boss and compatriot Arne Slot could make sense.
Should Salah sign a new deal, Van Dijk could prove to be a worry – arguably the most consistent Premier League centre-back of the last five years. Despite this though, there appears to be concerns, how long the Dutchman, 33 can keep playing week-in week-out at the highest level – he certainly seems to have lost a yard of pace over the last couple of years.
He could well be the biggest risk as far as a new contract goes. Also, there are numerous centre-backs in world football who could come in and reach the level that Van Dijk has – each with similar abilities. Ecuadorian Piero Hincapie (previously linked with the Reds) and another Leverkusen defender could be a natural fit – able to play in the left-sided centre-back berth and at just 23 has the potential to become world class. He can also cover at left-back and would probably cost in the region of £50 million.
Should Liverpool win at least one trophy this season – the Premier League is looking likelier by the day, in addition to retaining the Carabao Cup – (dare we say the unprecedented quadruple??), it could be a very interesting summer – an ambitious squad overhaul could transform an already very good squad into world-beaters for years to come.
