Liverpool transfers: Reds LOSING Alexander-Arnold, Salah, Van Dijk battles

During Michael Edwards’ first stint with the club, Liverpool really did master the PR game. The former Sporting Director cannot be solely credited for this turnaround but the Reds did excel in using the media to shape narratives. 

His return to the club this summer resulted in an increase in club propaganda across multiple media outlets. There’s no other way to dress it up.

READ MORE: Michael Edwards' signings as Liverpool sporting director

Darwin Nunez was a Jurgen Klopp signing, the recruitment team wanted Christopher Nkunku. 

Only elite players could improve this current Liverpool squad. 

Richard Hughes is doing a fantastic job. 

Speaking, on The Athletic FC podcast, transfer expert David Ornstein said:  “Credit to Richard Hughes. I’ve said this a few times on air and some fans have reacted quite badly, but I think bit by bit, people are starting to say similar things.

“It’s just watching, listening and talking to people who are better-versed in the situation than us. They’re very complimentary. I speak to other clubs, directors, people who move in a similar world, sporting directors, technical directors… and so far, they’re taking their hat off to Richard Hughes.”

Liverpool leverage power of the press

It was very much a case of the reliable Liverpool journalists getting messages out for the club rather than reports being organic.

Nunez, who divided fan opinion, was assigned to the departing manager, as if to give the recruitment team a blank slate. It was then positioned as though the likes of Hughes was given an almost impossible task of trying to strengthen this squad.

And then, when things weren’t going well, we had Ornstein heaping praise on the former Bournemouth sporting director.

The likes of Edwards, and perhaps even Hughes, leveraged their relationships with the media to shape the narrative. There’s nothing wrong with it, every club tries to do it as they like to  gatekeep how they are perceived by the masses.

But it was painfully obvious, despite attempts to make it seem natural.

How Edwards is losing the PR battle

Liverpool have a history of shaping the general perception when it comes to transfers and contract situations. Players have cottoned on to this. It is why Jordan Henderson was quick to use his contacts in the media to get fans on side when he wanted a contract renewal. Eventually, backed by Klopp, he succeeded where Gini Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane failed.

Now without the German tactician here to support their cause, players are having to get a little more creative in winning the PR battle with the club. We’ve seen Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all play the game this summer.

The trio of players, all out of contract at the end of the season, have been fairly vocal in the media over recent months to subtly put all of the pressure on the club.

Alexander-Arnold, the vice-captain who was earmarked as a priority according to reports earlier in the summer, recently spoke out about his situation at Anfield.

“I've been at Liverpool for 20 years now. I've signed four or five contract extensions and none of them have been said in public.

"This one won't be either".

"I have always said I want to captain the club. That is a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands. I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say."

Salah gets his message out early

He’s implied he wants to remain on Merseyside. If he’s genuine and he does want to extend his deal with the club, it should be a straightforward negotiation for Hughes to tie the Scouser down. Alexander-Arnold has already shaped the narrative.

If a deal isn’t struck, the club will be criticised. In the past, there would’ve been a scenario in which the right-back is labelled as greedy and the fan opinion shifts as he forces his way out.

In getting his message out there early,  he’s potentially prevented this idea being pushed later down the line.

Salah did similar last month following the win over Manchester United.

"No-one at the club has spoken to me about contracts, so I'm just like, 'OK, I'm playing my last season' and see what happens at the end of the season. So far, we don't know with which club, but so far yeah my last game here with Liverpool. It's not up to me but nobody talk to me about a contract with the club. We'll see."

The three-time Golden Boot winner made it clear that the club haven’t started talks with him. Again, all of the pressure is on the club now rather than the player.

Van Dijk has a similar response when asked in early August. So that is three star players all following a similar blueprint. They’re saying all of the right things to keep fans on their side while positioning their predicament as a club issue. And there’s no way the club can reset this.

They have lost the PR war with these three players in act one of the season.