Liverpool contract talks: What Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk & Mo Salah have said
By
Will Comish
Will Comish
With three of Liverpool's integral players now into their last season at the club should contract negotiations not be successful, we have looked into what they have said about their situations.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been at the club for most of his life, progressing to the first team from the academy, Mohamed Salah is the club's current record Premier League goalscorer and Virgil Van Dijk's is the club's captain and talisman in defence.
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Salah on his contract negotiations
Speaking to Sky Sports after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, he said: "I was coming to the game and I was saying, 'look, it could be the last time' [he plays at Old Trafford].
"Nobody in the club talked to me yet about contracts so I was just like, 'OK, I play my last season and see at the end of the season.
"I feel I am free to play football – we will see what happens next year."
At the time, Arne Slot said he was unable to speak about any of Salah's comments, but that he could easily marvel at Salah's performance for hours.
Having started remarkably well so far this season - his ninth year on Merseyside - many fans will be desperate for him to stay for at least a couple of extra years given his outstanding goalscoring consistency and his peak physical condition.
Van Dijk on his contract negotiations
Speaking in a press conference, in response to his heated reaction to contract questions after the Netherlands' loss to England at the Euros this summer, he said: "I am human, I have emotions too. You start thinking all kinds of things. Especially just after a game like the elimination (by England) in the very last minute.
"After the match, I was so disappointed and full of emotion. It perhaps came across as if it had been my last international match. I did have doubts that night and I did hint at that.
“It's very good that I went on holiday the next day, was able to spend time with my children, my family, which is the most important thing in my life. I was able to share it and then very quickly things calmed down.
"At both teams [Liverpool and the Netherlands] I am still Virgil van Dijk, the big leader! I certainly want to remain that for the next two years."
While still taking on both captaincy roles a month later, Van Dijk has been at his triumphant best so far this season and while nothing has come out regarding his contract talks, it seems the Dutchman is desperate to keep the status quo for the moment.
Alexander-Arnold on his contract negotiations
In an interview after Saturday's 3-0 win against Bournemouth, Trent emphasised the one thing he needs to be convinced of to extend his contract, saying: "The most important thing is trophies if I’m honest.
"I want to win trophies. I’m a player who is highly motivated by winning things and being elite. That’s probably the main factor of anything.
"I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. This one won’t be either."
His performances this season for club and country have been immense and the impact he has on the players around him is remarkable.
Having recently beaten Steven Gerrard's record for the youngest Liverpool player to make 100 goal contributions, it would not be surprising to see him want to follow in his heroes footsteps of being a loyal one-club player at Liverpool.
Where does this leave us?
All three players will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1st and while the squad is focused on the issues on the pitch, all we can do is put our faith in Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards to focus on the issues off the pitch.
Arne Slot's successful start to the season has given plenty of reason for optimism this season in regard to sporting achievements and when the time is right, the players will announce their verdict on where they will be playing next season.
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