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The beginning of the Arne Slot era has been better than any Liverpool fan could have dreamt of. So why sitting at the top of the table in both the premier league and champions league is there not clarity as to how the immediate future of the club will look?
With the departure of Jurgen Klopp at the end of the 23/24 season Liverpool fans had there first sense of concern about the future of the club. Klopp had brought a consistency to a club that had not seen in a long time. During his time at Liverpool the team never failed to finish outside of the top 5 other than Klopp’s first the 15/16 season where he took over for Brendan Rodgers in October. Klopp constantly added players each season that fit his high flying vertical style of play. These players not only filled their role but pushed the club to new heights. It seemed that each year there was talk about how little was spent on players whose value far exceeded their transfer fee. Many of those players have moved on to other clubs but some are still with the team…for now.
In the summer of 2023, Jurgen Klopp made the announcement that Virgil Van Dijk would be the new captain of Liverpool with the co captain being TAA. The ex Liverpool coach went on to say that the teams leadership committee were the captain and co captain accompanied by Andy Robertson, Mo Salah, and Alisson Becker. All of the players had been with the team for a number of years and knew the standards of the club. Three of those players are currently on their last year of their contract. Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander Arnold, and Mohamed Salah.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The captain and rock of the Liverpool defense, Van Dijk has been back to world class to start the new campaign. Leading the Liverpool back line that has only conceded 8 league goals and 1 goal in champions league. Listening to many world class strikers interviews they are asked the most difficult defender they have played against, many of them mention Virgil. He really has everything in his locker, he has a massive frame at 6’4” with the ability to win most any ball in the air. He’s quick, giving him the ability to go stride for stride shutting down a counter attack. And has the skill to ping balls all over the field, if you want to see something impressive go watch his free kick compilation at Celtic. Of the three players on contract years, it feel most likely that he would be the first to resign. He is now 33 years old but his game has shown no dips since his ruptured ACL in 2020.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 26: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 training and press conference at AXA Training Centre on November 26, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander Arnold, the local lad, academy grown, corner taken quickly, is set to make a lot of money. The scouser is one of the pioneers of what we know as the modern day fullback. His impact on the teams performance has been immense since his call up back in 2016. He has totaled 98 goals and assists in his 9 years in the senior squad. He affects the game in so many ways with line splitting passes driving the ball into areas that immediately put the opposition into danger. As a spectator you often can see the open space from the aerial perspective. But on many occasions while watching Trent you think to yourself, “how the hell did he pick that pass out?” Rumors have spread that a Real Madrid move could be in the future for the 26-year old. It is often hard for any player to turn down an offer from the most successful club in the world, but Trent is in a unique position. Being that he is from Liverpool and grew up watching Gerard stay at the club his entire career, he has a chance to do the same and go down as one of the greatest Liverpool players of all time. With this being a possibility the club better not fuck around and pay the 26 year old what he is owed.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts after he takes a penalty, which hits the post during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Salah, the Egyptian king and leading goal scorer for Liverpool the past seven years, (tied with Sadio man for 22 goals in 18/19) is back again doing what he’s always done. The right winger rarely steps off the pitch without creating or scoring himself. He has electrifying pace and arguably the best left foot in the world. His energy that he brings offensively and on the press suites exactly the style of play that Liverpool have been known for over the Klopp and now Slot era. His is the leading all time Liverpool goal scorer in premier league history with 165 goals, which has him ranked 8th league wide. With his quickness and strength on the ball he is always a threat constantly putting the opposition back line on high alert. Many have questioned his future as the star man is now 32 years old. HMS the captain of Spurs is also 32 years old but you would never question that his future at the club would be in jeopardy. How would Liverpool’s future look without his Salah contribution? Back in the 22/23 season Liverpool lost one of their main goal scorers Sadio Mane seeing their goal total drop to 75, 19 less from the year previous. Averaging almost 32 G+A through his 7 years at the club it is obvious that Liverpool would miss his production. The Egyptian captain has come out recently stating that he has not been in contact with the club regarding his next contract and that it unfortunately seems like his time at the club will end after this season.
So that’s the situation at Liverpool at the moment, three key players all up for their next big contract. The solution? Pay them! Not just one of them, all of them. When a club has had the recent success that Liverpool has had they tend to receive a return on their investment. Over the past 10 years Liverpool rank behind West Ham, New Castle and even Aston Villa in total spending. As Arne Slot came into the club it was thought that he would want to bring in his own players. It is now almost December and the roster looks exactly like it did when Klopp said his final farewell. My hope is that is was a masterful move knowing the future of the 3 players in question. If Liverpool want to be considered as one of the top clubs in the world they must keep this squad together.
