Paul Merson said that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk staying at Liverpool is “unbelievable news” for the club. Salah’s extension was confirmed on Friday, while Van Dijk is also believed to be close to signing a new deal at Anfield.
Both players had been due to become free agents on June 30, and there had been concerns that they would leave the club along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Liverpool is expected to be busy in the summer transfer window as it is, and the prospect of having to replace Salah and Van Dijk as well was not an appealing one.
Writing in his score predictions for Sportskeeda, Merson, who is tipping Liverpool to beat West Ham 3-1 this weekend, he said: “Liverpool will win this. West Ham have been so disappointing. Graham Potter has not had that kick-on effect like I expected. But he will only be judged next season, when he get his own players and builds his own system.
“Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk renewing their contracts is unbelievable news for Liverpool! It’s certainly bad news for Arsenal, Man City and the others though. If you had to lose one of those three players, it would have to be Trent Alexander-Arnold. I don’t mean that badly, he’s the best passer in the country but Salah and Van Dijk are just more important.
‘Fair play to both of them as well. They could’ve easily taken the easy way out by accepting a big pay cheque to go to another league in the latter stages of their career. But they have decided to stay at Liverpool and compete, which is commendable.”
(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
The length of Salah’s contract was not disclosed in Liverpool’s announcement but he is understood to have penned a two-year deal, which is also what Van Dijk is expected to sign.
Speaking to club media as his contract was announced, Salah said. “Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.
“It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.
“I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies.”
