The latest Liverpool news as Rio Ferdinand provides his verdict on the contracts of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold
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Updated 18:02, 10 Dec 2024
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Rio Ferdinand gives his assessment on Liverpool's contract conundrum
Rio Ferdinand gives his assessment on Liverpool's contract conundrum (Image: Screenshot: X: @footballontnt)
(Image: Image: Screenshot: X: @footballontnt)
If Liverpool were to get Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to commit to new contracts it would be a 'monumental' achievement, says Rio Ferdinand. However, the ex-Manchester United defender expects his old rivals to fail in this task.
Woven into the Reds' brilliant season so far has been intense debate surrounding the futures of the three huge stars. As negotiations have continued, reports suggest opening offers have been made to all three of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold.
"If the club can get all three done that will be a monumental moment, to secure the future of all three of these huge talents who have done some wonderful bits," Ferdinand told TNT Sports ahead of Tuesday evening's Champions League clash with Girona.
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"The service they have given this club over the years has been tremendous and they’re up there with the greats in the history of the club."
Salah has been open about his future and wanting to stay at Anfield, whilst it has been suggested captain Van Dijk is of the same mind. That is the two veterans accounted for, however Alexander-Arnold with more years remaining of his career has been continuously linked with an ambitious free transfer to Real Madrid.
"But, I can’t see them getting all three done," Ferdinand added. "I think Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah will stay if I had to put a bet on. Those two will stay, but this is an opportunity for someone like Trent - who has done some wonderful things and won lots of trophies here at Liverpool.
"When these opportunities come up to go to Real Madrid, a club like that, don’t come around often in your career. The way they’ve come around for him and the opportunity to go, he will never have an easier opportunity to go than now.
"I think he will find it hard to walk away from that."
As of January 1, 2025, all three would be able to consider rival contract offers from foreign clubs to sign from July 1 next year. It remains to be seen if any or all three find themselves in that situation, but an answer is not far away.