Liverpool face contract dilemma with three of Jurgen Klopp’s key players
Jurgen Klopp may be concerned by three separate contract situations at Liverpool. As the January transfer window has taken center stage, the club will need to shift their focus to players already at the club whose contracts are nearing their end. Three key players, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, will enter the final 12 months of their contracts this summer, and their potential departures could leave significant gaps in the squad.
During the summer transfer window, Klopp oversaw a major midfield rebuild, allowing several stalwarts to leave and making room for new signings. James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita were all offloaded, with younger replacements brought in. The new signings, including Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch, have seamlessly settled into the team, contributing to a new and exciting core for Liverpool. Now, the club is focusing on other areas, though they cannot neglect the contract situations of their key players.
Salah, van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold, who have been instrumental in Liverpool’s success, will become free agents in 2025. This impending availability is likely to attract attention from top clubs across Europe. While it makes sense for Liverpool to offer new contracts to these players, the lure of other clubs could be a persuasive factor if negotiations are delayed. Salah, in particular, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia’s top league, and his contract situation could be used to entice him to the Middle East. If Liverpool chooses not to renew Salah’s contract, the club will need to consider selling him while he is still a valuable asset.
Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, both key figures in the Liverpool defense, are likely to attract interest if they have only 12 months left on their contracts. Clubs like Real Madrid, with significant transfer budgets, could table substantial offers for these players. The prospect of being key players at Real Madrid may entice the duo to leave Liverpool. However, it is worth noting that neither player has indicated any desire to leave the club in the future, providing some confidence for Liverpool that the worst-case scenario may not occur.
