Will They Stay Or Will They Go: Predicting the Futures of Liverpool’s Big 3

Liverpool FC lost its largest figure in manager Jurgen Klopp, who had been there since 2015, at the end of the 2023-2024 EPL campaign. And yet, Liverpool has survived, and you really should say, they have thrived since he left. They managed to navigate that massive departure, but now they have three more on the horizon. 

It’s one thing to figure out a way to replace one manager, but replacing the most crucial ⅓ of your starting outfield is another thing entirely. Winger Mohamed Salah, defender Virgil Van Dijk, and fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold are all set to become free agents in unison this coming summer. 

There’s no way to know for sure, but there have been many reports and quotes in the media, especially from Salah, that might be able to help us predict how each of these three contract sagas will turn out for Liverpool. We’ll begin with the most likely to stay, and move on down the list.

Virgil Van Dijk - High Chance Of Re-Signing

While Mo Salah has gotten all the plaudits—and rightfully so, he’s been brilliant—it’s been the Dutch defender that has been the spine of this team. And this team is the best team in the league. Liverpool sit as favorites to win the PL this year with odds of around -275, depending on which new sportsbooks you’re using, with Arsenal still nipping at their heels at +300. You could make the argument that the biggest reason Liverpool are running away with this title is Van Dijk’s reliability at the back.

Liverpool has scored 48 goals this season, seven more than any other side. But they’ve also allowed just 20, which is tied for 2nd-fewest. VVD deserves the credit for that, as he is the only defender to have played in all 20 games. Not only has the Liverpool captain been playing at the highest level of any center half in the PL, he’s been doing it with a revolving door of center half pairings, as the rest of Liverpool’s defense has been dealing with the injury bug.

He has acted like the captain throughout this season, toeing the line while Salah and TAA have both been a little bit more vocal. Van Dijk’s position as the captain and the fact that he’s remained quiet during negotiations would seem to indicate that he’s leaning heavily towards staying. Liverpool fans shouldn’t worry about their 33-year-old skipper jetting off. We can’t say the same about the other two though.

Mohamed Salah - Low Chance of Re-Signing

This is the one that has been grabbing headlines because of how often Mohamed Salah has responded when he’s been asked about it. And he has every right to do so. The Egyptian 32-year-old is in the form of his life right now, carrying Liverpool to the top of the Premier League and Champions League with 20 goals and 17 assists in 26 PL and UCL appearances. 

He has been making these comments in the media because clearly he felt wronged by the Liverpool front office, who very well may have low-balled the Egyptian based on his age and a perceived dip in form over the last few years. They couldn’t have been more wrong about that.

It seems the relationship is so frayed that negotiations have ceased, as Salah said that his “last season” with Liverpool is giving him extra fuel in the title race. In January it was reported that Saudi club Al-Hilal, who made a less-than-bashful run at Salah back in 2023, have also reopened talks with the winger. We’d be shocked if he didn’t receive interest from other clubs in the big five leagues as well. They will be getting arguably the best player in the world on a free transfer. The queues could run straight across Merseyside.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Low Chance of Re-Signing

The one with the most emotional connection is by far Trent Alexander-Arnold. Not only is he the only Englishman of the three, he’s a kid from Liverpool who grew up in this club’s academy since he was just six years old. He’s won every trophy you can imagine with Liverpool, and he has seemingly done right by them, but there will always be that feeling of betrayal from scousers if he doesn’t “do right” by them and sign another contract so he doesn’t leave for a free, which he is under no obligation to do.

The call of Real Madrid is a tough one to ignore, and it seems that the Spanish giants have their sights set on TAA. It has been reported recently that the fullback is “ready to confirm” a move away from Merseyside to the La Liga side. It seems they’re getting another ‘Galacticos’ group together over there, and the sweet-footed Alexander-Arnold will fit in perfectly. 

Of course, there’s always the chance that the pull of home will change his mind, but Real Madrid is a once in a lifetime opportunity that’s tough to turn down for even the scousiest of scousers. TAA will simply hope he can leave Merseyside with at least one more Premier League medal in his back pocket.

 

Written by Alan Spencer