Liverpool hero John Aldridge has backed the club’s owners FSG as contract discussions step up with Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.
All three players have now been handed offers for new deals (as per The Athletic), with talks ongoing as the Reds look to tie their players down before their current contracts expire in the summer. As things stand, the trio will be able to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs next month unless they put pen to paper before the end of the year.
FSG has faced some criticism from supporters for allowing three of its most influential players to run down their contracts, while Salah expressed his disappointment at the lack of an offer before this week’s developments. Writing in his column for the ECHO though, Aldridge has backed Liverpool’s owners.
“You have to trust owners Fenway Sports Group to get it right with the ongoing contract sagas at Liverpool,” Aldridge said. “We know they are all in talks with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold and hopefully there has been some real progress. They are now so close to being able to hear what is on the table from other clubs and supporters are becoming nervous.
“Talks with all three of their agents and FSG is a step in the right direction but it has to be right for lads like Van Dijk and Salah, due to their ages and as a former player I can see where they are coming from. Salah is 32 and Van Dijk is 33 and while they will feel they can still perform at the elite level for a number of years, they are coming towards the twilight of their careers more generally.
“They are still very fit and have the first yard in their minds, which makes up for it if you naturally lose a bit of speed but with the growing, developing squad that Arne Slot has available to him, they have remained as influential as ever this season. Both Salah and Van Dijk have been outstanding.”
Aldridge though did offer a word of warning amid Salah’s contract negotiations. Reports have suggested the Egyptian is close to agreeing a new two-year deal, having been Liverpool’s standout player in recent weeks.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are all in the final year of their contracts at Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are all in the final year of their contracts at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
“Mo has proven it week in and week out that he can continue at this level and in truth we don't know exactly where and when that supposed drop-off due to his age comes,” Aldridge added.
“At this moment in time, though, it doesn't look like it is happening anytime soon. He has been so vital, he might not be playing out of his skin every week but he is getting goals and assists and he looks so sharp when he really gets going.
“Salah also looks like he has got a point to prove and Liverpool have to keep him like that because sometimes when players sign new contracts, like all Reds fans hope he does, they can go missing and it has happened loads over the years. Sometimes players think: 'I've got my contract now, I can ease up' and then they rest on their laurels.
“Now I am not suggesting Mo Salah would do that because he is too good, too professional and too dedicated, but Liverpool have got to keep their players hungry and it has certainly worked for Mo so far this season. He's scored 15 goals already and will be eyeing the Golden Boot in the Premier League, you can be certain of that.”