Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler has shared his concerns about the contract situations of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, declaring it “relatively poor” that the club has let their deals run down to the wire.
Despite this contractual oversight, the ex-Reds forward is confident in Liverpool’s ability to find replacements should the trio exit this summer. Fowler acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding whether the stars will don the red shirt next season as contract renewals remain unannounced.
However, he draws a parallel with the departure of Jurgen Klopp last summer, which led to many predicting a slump for Liverpool. Contrary to those expectations, Arne Slot has stepped up, guiding them towards potential Premier League glory in his debut campaign.
Fowler, providing his analysis on Sky Sports, stated: “There will be a tough ask for players coming in to replace them. But what I will say is that people were saying it would be a tough ask to come in and replace Jurgen Klopp, to pay Arne Slot the biggest compliment we haven’t missed Jurgen so that could be the case with players.”
With recent losses in the Carabao Cup final and a European exit at the hands of PSG, Liverpool’s primary aim has shifted to clinching the league title, a possibility bolstered by their substantial lead over Arsenal with nine matches remaining. The summer will reveal whether legends such as Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold will stay or go.
Fowler expressed his personal sentiment, saying: “Speaking from a fan point of view, I honestly don’t think all of them will stay. Who? I really couldn’t tell you. I’m a Liverpool fan, I want Liverpool to do well and I want Liverpool to have all the best players.
“When you’re looking at Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah these are three massively important players for Liverpool. I know Mo didn’t have a great game yesterday, they probably missed Trent but Virgil was probably the only Liverpool player who could hold his head high after yesterday.
“You want the three of them to sign. I think it is relatively poor from the club to let these great players get down to a few months left of their contract. What will be, will be.
“I look at the history of Liverpool Football Club and regardless of who is staying I think Liverpool have always been OK with the players that have come afterwards. No player is bigger than the football club, that is the case.”
Liverpool.com says: Losing any of the trio would be a huge blow. Salah and Van Dijk’s qualities are obvious while without Alexander-Arnold against Newcastle this weekend, we saw a glimpse of what life might be like without him. The Liverpool number 66’s deliveries from deep have become so normal now that they are only noticed when they aren’t there any more.
