Robbie Fowler has backtracked on his theory that two of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold had already signed new contracts with Liverpool earlier in the season.
Speaking earlier this year, the Liverpool legend suggested that the Reds had committed two of the three soon-to-be-out-of-contract players to extensions but were holding back on making an announcement due to concerns over a backlash against the third.
In January, Fowler said: “It’s no inside information. But I do have a little theory, and I don’t know if this is far from the truth, but I think two of them have signed already for some reason, and one hasn’t, due to the simple fact that the club can’t come out and say: ‘You have signed because it makes the other one look worse.’”
Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold are all due to become free agents on June 30, and for some time it had appeared as though Alexander-Arnold was the most likely of the trio to depart amid strong interest from Real Madrid.
But as things stand, all three men, who have been free to conduct pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs since January 1, will be available for nothing come July 1.
Fowler made no mention of his previous theory as he discussed Liverpool’s contract situations in an appearance on talkSPORT. “I think it’s poor from a club the size of Liverpool, to sort of be in this position, first and foremost that’s obviously a different conversation,” Fowler stated.
“I mean, I’ve been on talkSPORT with Jim [White] and obviously Simon [Jordan] before and spoke about these players. From a Liverpool fan point of view, you are mega, mega disappointed If any of them don’t sign.
“I don’t think the three of them will, if I’m being totally honest, but you know, it’s going to be one of those things with Liverpool now, and certainly after the performance yesterday [against Newcastle] from some of the players we didn’t see, I think Arne Slot knows he’s maybe going to have a big summer plan.”
