Liverpool enjoyed a well-earned break last weekend and remain top of the Premier League table despite Manchester City’s late victory over Newcastle United.
There was positive news on the injury front this week as Andy Robertson was pictured training with a ball ahead of his long-awaited comeback.
Despite the positive update, Robertson is not expected to line up against Bournemouth this weekend. Fellow stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah will also be missing, whilst captain Virgil van Dijk will be looking to put his error against Fulham behind him having fully recovered from illness.
Jürgen Klopp’s side has evolved over the past year or so, but the boss will be looking to tie down the futures of Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, who are all contracted until the summer of 2025.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked experienced LFC reporter Neil Jones about the club’s key upcoming contract renewals.
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Neil said:
[On Mo Salah]
“The last negotiation was big enough to be the subject of a university business study. It was clearly a tough negotiation, a complicated one.
“I think there’s a big case that you keep him, that you try and extend. Even if you just said, ‘Do you just want to sign an extra couple of years?’ One more year, even, would be helpful.
“I still think he’s important. I still think he’s able to play at that level. I still think he’s worthy of his status in the team. I don’t think he’s declining or declined.
“Liverpool’s case is stronger towards Salah. There’s more for Liverpool maybe to put in the opposite camp than we might have suspected this time 12 months ago. I think Liverpool are in a little bit of a stronger position. The last thing that I would do would be sell Salah this summer.”
[On Trent]
“Everything Liverpool have done in the last 12 months in particular – but beyond that – points to them bringing Trent into the centre of their world, their picture. Literally as well at times, as well as metaphorically.
“I think it can only point to Liverpool giving him pretty much what he wants, and I don’t see him at this stage looking to jump ship.
“I think he actually relishes that responsibility, and I think he’ll get it at Liverpool. I would be surprised if there were any hiccups in the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation.”
[On Virgil van Dijk]
“His level this season has been immense. I could see a situation where Liverpool just tagged on a year or two. It doesn’t have to be a five-year contract, or that kind of thing.
“You look at someone like Thiago Silva, for example. I think Van Dijk could do that. I think Van Dijk could go 36, 37, 38.
“I don’t see a situation where Liverpool say, ‘Thanks for everything Virgil, we’ve had enough of that.’ I think Liverpool will at least make an attempt to prolong that stay.”
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Redmen Reacts
Whilst new signings Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo have received praise for their performances so far this season, it is the mainstays of the side in Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold who have been key to the club’s assault on four trophies. Salah’s goalscoring has remained a constant, whilst the club captain has returned to his imperious best. Trent has put the disappointment of last season behind him and is relishing his increased responsibility as a senior player.
The club should do all they can to extend the stays of all three players. If Salah is to leave for Saudi Arabia, every last penny should be extracted from whichever PIF-sponsored club demands his services. The mood music around the Egyptian has been positive since bids were rejected for him. He has the opportunity to seal his legacy as one of the all-time greats by adding to his major trophy haul at Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk appears to have completely gotten over the injury that affected him physically – and potentially mentally – for so long. It would require an astronomical fee to prize Trent out of Anfield and he is expected to succeed Van Dijk as captain.
