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By TAMARA PRENN
Published: 12:41 EST, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 12:41 EST, 10 December 2024
Rio Ferdinand has suggested that it would be a 'monumental' achievement if Liverpool manage to keep all three of their out-of-contract stars after the summer transfer window.
Captain Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are all potential departures from Anfield this summer, with less than six months left on their deals before they can leave as free agents in June 2025.
Mail Sport reported on Sunday that the club have had made initial contact with Salah over a new contract offer, but the Egyptian star is not thought to be close to coming to an agreement with the Reds over extending his time on Merseyside.
All three of the players are entitled to talk to foreign clubs from January 1, with a number of European giants thought to be circling the standout performers with a view to securing their services for nothing.
Alexander-Arnold in particular is thought to be a major target for Real Madrid, with the serial Champions League winners increasingly interested in tempted the academy star to the Spanish capital.
Ahead of Liverpool's Champions League run-out against Girona on Tuesday evening, former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand did not mince words when he stressed the significance of all of the players being handed new deals.
Rio Ferdinand (left) and Steve McManaman discussed Liverpool's potential departures ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie
'If the club can get all three done it will be a monumental moment,' Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. '(They are all) huge talents who have the service they have given is tremendous.
'They are up there with the greats but I can't see them getting all three done. I think Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will stay, (but) this is an opportunity for someone like Trent, to go to Real Madrid.
'A club like that, they don’t come around often and the way it is coming around, he will never have an easier opportunity than now, so he will find it hard (to stay).'
Steve McManaman - who made the switch from Anfield to the Bernabeu himself in 1999 - agreed with Ferdinand, singling out which two players Liverpool should focus their efforts on securing.
'Now it is the spine which is Van Dijk and Mo,' the co-pundit added. 'It is going to be impossible to replace all three, but it's important to nail down Mo and Virgil.
'Trent it is down to him. With Mo and Virgil, they are at an age they still want to play high class and probably have fewer options. I think it will be easier.'
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