“It’s a Mess!” – Former Liverpool Defender Slams Club Over ‘Disastrous’ Contract Situation | OneFootball

Former Defender Reacts to Liverpool’s ‘Disastrous’ Contract Situation

Liverpool’s season has been one of pure excitement and success for the most part, with Arne Slot set to guide the Reds to a Premier League title in his debut season. However, even in the club’s brilliant form there has been a underlying tone of anxiety amongst the club’s supporters over the current contract situation at the club.

As it stands, Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have just three months left on their current contract and will leave the club for free at the end of the season, as it stands. You can even add Vitezslav Jaros to that list, who despite his current role as third choice goalkeeper is still seen as a highly promising young option in the squad who has impressed massively in his rare appearances this season.

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Therefore, despite the huge success that Slot has brought to Liverpool so far, the future of the current squad remains anything but clear.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock spoke exclusively to Anfield Index and shared his thoughts on the ongoing situation…

“It’s a Mess!”

“It’s a mess, to be honest,” began Warnock, “I thought originally that a couple has agreed new deals and they were waiting to announce them all together.”

“It doesn’t seem like that is what is happening though,” continued Warnock, “It feels like the players are having a difficulty negotiating what they actually want to end up with.”

“From a club’s point of view, it’s far from ideal. Van Dijk has been very clear to say that people shouldn’t believe everything that they read because I don’t think he even knows what is going to happen!”

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From all of the interviews, it seems pretty clear that both Van Dijk and Salah want to stay at the club, but also know their worth contractually.

In contrast, Alexander-Arnold’s future plans don’t seem as clear with the full-back seemingly leaning towards a summer move to Real Madrid.

“If Liverpool were to lose all three players, it would be disastrous,” Warnock pointed out, “Because suddenly you’re having to pay a large amount of money to replace a centre-back, a goalscorer and your right-back.”

“There’s probably more planning in place should Trent leave because of his age and the links to Real Madrid.”

“It’s a concern, but there’ll be a plan – there’s always a plan.”

Who Would Warnock Renew First?

“If you want the local lad then Trent’s the most important player, if you want influence on the pitch and a game-changer, then it’s Salah. Then, if you want leadership qualities, then you look at Van Dijk,” said Warnock.

“Van Dijk has had the biggest impact on the club,” continued Warnock, “He has been the most consistent Liverpool player for years now.”

“Therefore, Van Dijk would be my first choice, then Salah and then Trent,” said Warnock, “I think Trent will go. I don’t want him to because he’s brilliant, but I think he wants to go abroad and test himself.”

Photo: IMAGO

It’s a pivotal few weeks ahead for the Liverpool hierarchy as the end of the season draws closer. At the centre of that pressure will be sporting director Richard Hughes, who has come under serious scrutiny since his arrival from AFC Bournemouth last summer.

In his first summer, he only signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus in a deal worth around £12million. He already has one signing lined up for this summer with Giorgi Mamardashvilli set to arrive from Valencia for a fee worth around £30m – but there’s so much still to do and these contracts have got to be at the top of that list.