It is clear that the focus in January will be on what can happen in the transfer market. Ideally, Liverpool could find a left centre-back who could come into the team and help their seemingly weak defence, but that seems unlikely.
Liverpool are well placed to compete on all fronts this season, reaching the Carabao Cup final and knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup. But getting back into the Champions League was a priority and winning the Premier League would certainly be a dream scenario, but a very realistic one.
In that context, and with Liverpool very attractive for the players they want to sign after 2024, there is no reason for anyone to want to leave Anfield at the moment. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have around 18 months left on their contracts and are the next players to sign extensions (following Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip, whose contracts expire this summer).
This week, The Athletic reported that “negotiations will begin in due course” with all three players. FSG’s plan has always been to go until 2024 and at least two of those extensions would have to be direct, but it has been admitted that Salah is keen to “continue to compete with Liverpool at the highest level of European football”. I needed Help.
Salah was wanted by Saudi Arabia last summer, but low attendances and general disinterest in the expensive league make the draft less attractive than it once was. Jordan Henderson wants out and there will be those who doubt their move. Liverpool will be hoping that Salah remains focused on the top level of his game and there are no signs of that changing.
Otherwise, they may be barred from advancing to the Saudi Arabian professional league. There are other teams that welcome Salah with open arms. However, Real Madrid could be eyeing Kylian Mbappe and could soon need a replacement for the Frenchman if PSG leave as a free agent as expected. It’s hard to imagine Salah playing for another Premier League club.
Liverpool is clearly the best place for Salah. He will be back in the Champions League next season and will be fighting in every way this season. The Egyptian couldn’t have been in a better position to get a big win and put the Reds back on top. Linking to an extension is an easy fix, even if it isn’t.
For Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, negotiations at Liverpool will be much easier. First of all, none of them would want Salah’s salary level, despite the fact that he should be paid fairly for his position in the sport. While nothing is taken for granted, Liverpool’s captain and vice-captain believe he is unlikely to leave anytime soon. However, you are welcome to make knots and clear up speculations before they arise. But the priorities for the coming weeks and months must be clear. Sign three of Liverpool’s best players (along with Alisson Becker, who is under contract until 2027).
The announcement of one or three new signings could give Liverpool a major boost to their formidable presence in all four competitions this season.