Manchester United icon Gary Neville recently shared his thoughts on the current contract uncertainties surrounding key Liverpool players Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk.
Considering Liverpool’s impressive form on the field, these looming contract issues have left some fans feeling uneasy about the club’s future. Each of these players is inching closer to free agency as their contracts are set to expire at the end of this season, raising questions about whether they will ultimately stay on or look for opportunities elsewhere.
In a recent discussion on the US edition of The Overlap, titled It’s Called Soccer, Neville examined Salah’s situation in particular, shedding light on what he believes could be the message behind a recent, somewhat cryptic, social media post from the star forward. Neville hinted that Salah’s post might suggest he’s considering his next steps, potentially even signaling a departure from Liverpool. However, he also speculated that the post could be a subtle way for Salah to push the club’s management toward offering him a more lucrative contract.
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As Salah, now 32, reaches a stage in his career where players often weigh their financial and professional options, there’s growing belief that he could attract significant offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia. With the wealth of resources available in the Saudi Pro League, Salah could potentially secure a high-paying deal, making it challenging for Liverpool to compete financially unless they’re willing to break their wage structure to keep him.
For Liverpool, retaining Salah could come down to whether they’re prepared to offer him a contract reflective of his accomplishments and continued high performance. Salah has shown little sign of decline, even as he ages, and some argue he could maintain his elite status well into his mid-thirties, similar to how superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Luka Modric have extended their careers at the top level. Given Salah’s prolific scoring ability and influence on the team, Liverpool could struggle to replace him if he were to leave, as few players in the world can match his combination of skill, consistency, and leadership on the field.
Neville also touched on the situation with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who, like Salah, could soon face a crossroads in his Liverpool career. Neville suggested that if Alexander-Arnold chose to pursue an opportunity abroad, his legacy at Liverpool would remain untarnished. Drawing a comparison with David Beckham, who became a Manchester United legend despite moving abroad later in his career, Neville implied that Alexander-Arnold could still be regarded as a Liverpool icon even if he eventually sought new challenges outside of England.
For Liverpool fans, the hope is that Salah, Alexander-Arnold, and Van Dijk will extend their stays at Anfield. However, the decisions these players make will depend heavily on the club’s willingness to meet their contract demands and their respective long-term goals. Letting go of someone like Salah could prove a substantial risk, as he still has much to contribute. Ultimately, Liverpool’s next moves in contract negotiations will play a crucial role in determining the club’s future trajectory and its ability to stay competitive in English and European football.
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