Mohamed Salah’s Impact Unavoidable as Unspoken Liverpool Worries Become Reality

The contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk had largely been a non-issue for Liverpool on the pitch, but this may now be about to change.

Football supporters are famously obsessive, often scrutinizing every detail, and Mohamed Salah recently provided plenty to dissect following Liverpool’s frustrating draw with Manchester United. On Monday morning, as is customary, the Egyptian posted on social media, sharing reflections on the match. However, the post highlighted an image of Salah preparing to take a second-half free-kick, which sparked particular interest due to the presence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk. The trio, as the only players visible in the image, are also the three senior Liverpool members whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the season, potentially leaving the club on free transfers.

Liverpool fans, eager for updates on contract negotiations with the trio, have inevitably drawn conclusions from Salah’s post. The timing has only added to the speculation, especially with the opening of the January transfer window, which allows the three players to officially discuss potential moves with foreign clubs and sign pre-contract agreements for the summer.

This situation was always likely to unfold, with the looming contract uncertainty now starting to shift the focus away from Liverpool’s on-field success. What had been a recurring topic of discussion is now threatening to become a tangible distraction, both in terms of the team’s performance and the wider atmosphere surrounding the club.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s subpar display against United added to the uncertainty, especially since it followed reports that Real Madrid had expressed interest in acquiring the 26-year-old, potentially for a relatively low transfer fee. With Liverpool still in contention for silverware on multiple fronts, weakening the squad by selling Alexander-Arnold in January seems unappealing, given his crucial role when fit.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid’s confirmed interest could become a growing distraction for Alexander-Arnold and the team. However, there has been no significant indication so far that the contract situations of Van Dijk and Salah have negatively impacted their performances. Van Dijk was one of Liverpool’s standout performers against United, and Salah continued his excellent form, scoring his 21st goal of the season from the penalty spot.

A key distinction remains, though, as Salah and Van Dijk have both indicated a willingness to address their contract situations publicly, even if only to acknowledge they are far from reaching new agreements. In contrast, Alexander-Arnold has not yet spoken about his situation, which could suggest he is still undecided on his future. If that’s the case, publicly discussing his contract might be premature, but once he makes a decision, it would benefit everyone if he clarified his intentions. This would help bring clarity in the final months of the season, allow the focus to return solely to football, and put an end to speculation.

Ultimately, should Real Madrid become a more serious option, Alexander-Arnold wouldn’t be the first homegrown player, nor the first exceptional talent, to leave Liverpool on a free transfer. Additionally, any sustained criticism from fans is unlikely to convince him to stay, although some dissatisfaction with his performance against United would be justified.

Liverpool, of course, cannot escape blame for allowing the contracts of three key players to reach this stage. However, it’s important to recognize that the club has made offers to all three, and despite Van Dijk and Salah’s declared commitment to the club, including Van Dijk’s “calm” approach to his situation, no agreement has yet been reached. All three players, like Alexander-Arnold, have their own sense of value, which has influenced the negotiations.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have positioned themselves strongly to compete for trophies both domestically and internationally, making it a memorable season under the Dutch manager. How Real Madrid and any other interested parties handle their pursuit of the three players is beyond Liverpool’s control. However, allowing the contract issues to linger without resolution would be unwise, as it threatens to undermine the team’s prospects over the coming months. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how much of a distraction these contract talks will ultimately become.