Online Reporter
LIVERPOOL’S three out-of-contract superstars can sign preliminary deals with overseas clubs next week, but Arne Slot does not believe the opening January transfer window will have a significant impact on the negotiations to keep them at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are free to discuss terms and sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign team from New Year’s Day onwards under the terms of the Bosman ruling.
That would see them leave Liverpool in the summer. But Liverpool are relaxed about the new year given all the indications remain that the stated preference of all three players is to commit to the club as they are continuing talks with the Anfield hierarchy.
January 1 would be more of a concern if the trio are eager to commit to a foreign side at the first opportunity and — as yet — Liverpool have heard nothing to suggest that is the case.
It is highly unlikely any clubs interested in the Anfield trio would only start to make enquiries to the players or their representatives in 2025 given it is well-documented how they are entering the final six months of their deal.
Such talks would no doubt have been held informally long before the new year.
“It’s clear that from January 1, maybe for you guys, things change a lot but they are in constant talks with the club and let’s wait and see what happens,” said Slot.
“As long as they keep performing like this, the head coach is happy. In general, I don’t talk about contract situations here.
“It would be a surprise I was the one to announce that one of them has extended. Keep asking, that’s your job but you’re probably not going to get an answer from me.”
Liverpool have made it clear to the players and their representatives what is affordable and realistic in keeping with their budget and their short-term and long-term plans.
Although no parties have offered details either privately or publicly as to what the stumbling blocks to deals are to this point, the financial commitment required to retain players earning around £20 million per season is evidently a major factor, especially in the case of those who will be in their mid-30s should they sign for another two or three seasons.
Given Liverpool’s position at the top of the Premier League, and leading the Champions League table, the ability of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold to achieve their footballing ambitions certainly cannot be part of the equation.
Slot’s success since replacing Jürgen Klopp and propelling Liverpool further forward has guaranteed there are fewer places in the world currently more attractive than Anfield, which is why hopes remain compromises will be reached. Liverpool aim to ensure that remains the case as they head to West Ham United today seeking to consolidate a healthy Premier League lead.
Slot does not believe being front-runners brings additional pressure.
“You are sitting in front of the Liverpool manager, so there is always pressure at this club,” said Slot. “If we are one, two, three, four or five in the table, if you work at a big club like Liverpool, there is always pressure.
“And I think last season they were also number one halfway through. So, it’s not so strange for a club like us to be top of the league, but we know how many good teams there are in this league and they are able to win almost every game as well. There’s no extra pressure; there is always pressure when you work at a club like Liverpool.”
EPL Fixtures
Today
Leicester v Manchester City 4.30pm
Crystal Palace v Southampton 5pm
Everton v Nottingham 5pm
Fulham v Bournemouth 5pm
Tottenham v Wolves 5pm
West Ham v Liverpool 7.15pm
Tomorrow
Aston Villa v Brighton 9.45pm
Ipswich v Chelsea 9.45pm
Manchester Utd v Newcastle 10pm
Wednesday
Brentford v Arsenal 7.30pm
— Guardian
