With Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contracts expiring in 18 months, a journalist has provided an update on when we can expect to find out more about their future at Liverpool.
Who knows where Liverpool would be without Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk in the team?
Along with Alisson, they are arguably Liverpool’s most important players, but all three’s contracts expire in 2025.
Clubs generally prefer to secure new deals for players who have at least one year left on their contract. However, in the case of this trio, not much has been reported about negotiations.
Journalist James Pearce has given an update on why he doesn’t expect talks to happen until the end of the season.
For the Athletic, Pearce wrote that “formal discussions on renewals have not yet begun” and “Liverpool’s stance is that it will be addressed when the time is right.”
This last comment isn’t really groundbreaking news but, when you combine it with other information from Pearce, it builds a picture of where Liverpool are at.
He added that Jorg “Schmadtke has focused solely on negotiating transfers, so his successor will likely be tasked with resolving contract renewals within a framework acceptable to Fenway Sports Group executives.”
The journalist then goes on to explain the different factors Liverpool are considering when offering new deals, including the timing and the “financial commitment involved in terms of agents and signing fees.”
In addition to this, their salaries are of course an important factor when taking into account the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability standards and UEFA’s financial fair play standards.
Van Dijk currently earns £250,000 a week and Salah £350,000. However, it is Alexander-Arnold who is likely to see the biggest pay rise.
The 25-year-old’s increasing seniority in the vice-captain’s role, coupled with the increased emphasis on on-field performances, should see his salary increase from the £200,000-a-week he currently earns.
As for the rest of the team, the big questions for 2024 lie with Joel Matip and Thiago: both have deals expiring in the summer.
Following Matip’s ACL surgery in December, Klopp suggested the former could stay for another year.
“Yes, I’m pretty sure the club will show their class, as they should,” said the boss.
“I’m pretty sure the club already told Joel that whatever happens, as long as he’s injured, everything will be fine. Now we have to make a decision with Joel about how he will look after that.”
Adrián’s contract also expires in 2024.
