'World-class' Liverpool player is set to LEAVE on a FREE transfer next summer

According to the latest reports Liverpool could be about to lose one of their world-class players next summer on a free transfer as things stand. 

Richard Hughes has not inherited an easy task at Liverpool. The club's new sporting director not only has to bring in new acquisitions, but how also faces some challenging decisions in the boardroom.

As we speak, three of Liverpool's most influential players at the moment, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are all about to enter the final 12 months of their current deals at the club.

Hughes now must decide whether to extend all of their deals or allow them to leave on a free transfer next summer - a decision that will be unpopular among the club's supporter base.

READ MORE: Liverpool CLOSING IN on first summer transfer of the window

Mohamed Salah set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer?

Among the three players, one of the most difficult extensions will be that of Mohamed Salah's. The Egyptian is still performing to elite levels as proven by his performance at the weekend, which was hailed as 'world-class' by Gary Neville on his own podcast.

However, at the same time, Salah is not getting any younger. He will be 33 years old next summer and a long-term contract extension just seems unlikely given he will be entering the twilight years of his career.

Given he will be entering his final years, Salah will likely want a wage increase as well which Liverpool are unlikely to grant.

Those sentiments are echoed by the Liverpool ECHO who report that at this stage, Mohamed Salah is set to leave on a free transfer next summer.

Of course, things could change with still plenty of time for Liverpool to agree an extension. However, if things do not change, Hughes will have another gargantuan task on his hand trying to replace the Egyptian.