Liverpool has been told that it has got itself in “a mess” by allowing so many key players’ contracts to run down, with the Reds facing the prospect of losing their three most important players for nothing this summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have all been crucial players for Liverpool over the last few years but are due to become free agents on July 1.
Concerningly, it doesn’t look as though the Reds have learnt their lesson, with Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson also soon set to enter the final 12 months of their deals.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock discussed the situation, telling Anfield Index: “It’s a mess, to be honest. 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. 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!
“If Liverpool were to lose all three players, it would be disastrous, 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.”
Warnock believes Alexander-Arnold is likely to leave amid interest from Real Madrid, and thinks it is crucial that the club manages to keep hold of Van Dijk.
He added: “If you want the local lad then Trent’s the most important player [to keep], 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.
“Van Dijk has had the biggest impact on the club. He has been the most consistent Liverpool player for years now. Therefore, Van Dijk would be my first choice, then Salah and then Trent. 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.”
