Former Premier League star issues title warning over Liverpool's contract rebels

Contributor
Feargal Brennan
Former Premier League star issues title warning over Liverpool's contract rebels image

Liverpool remain on course for a potential trophy quadruple in 2025.

Arne Slot's side eased into the Carabao Cup final in midweek via a superb 4-0 semifinal second leg win over Tottenham to set up a Wembley date with Newcastle United on March 16.

The Reds face a weekend FA Cup Fourth Round clash with Plymouth Argyle, ahead of a UEFA Champions League return at the Round of 16 stage next month, and a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League rankings.

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However, despite the positivity over Slot's impressive debut campaign at Anfield, contract renewal talks rumble with three key players.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract at the end of the season with crunch decisions facing the trio in the months ahead.

Liverpool contract latest: Trent, Van Dijk and Salah approach crunch time

There has been a distinct lack of fresh news on all three players as the winter transfer window slammed shut on February 3.

Alexander-Arnold remains torn between signing a five-year renewal on Merseyside or accepting a similar deal at Real Madrid as a free agent this summer.

Salah has been more open over his frustration on no offers/a lack of suitable ones, as he eyes a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, with Van Dijk also no closer to a decision.

The club ideally want a decision from all three before the end of the campaign, despite the possibility of that causing a distraction in their trophy chasing, as the tension.

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Despite the chance to become part of Slot's long-term project, to push for more titles in the years to come, former Arsenal star Paul Merson has warned success this season could be the perfect sign-off - with all three stars leaving in a blaze of glory.

"Call me a cynic, I don’t think any of them sign," Merson told Sky Sports, as per the Daily Mirror.

"I think they will wait and see, if they win the league, I don’t know where you go from there if you’re Liverpool.

"When Liverpool won the league during Covid-19, it wasn’t the same. You watched them lift the trophy, the Kop wasn’t there, or the fans. They hadn’t won it for a long time. If they go and win it this time, in front of their fans, that will be different.

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"I think Salah, Van Dijk, Trent, they’ve already won the Champions League, now they can win the Premier League in front of their fans – and from there, I don’t see them signing.

"For me, I'm not sure they sign if they win the Premier League."

Merson's message puts Liverpool fans in a Catch 22 situation, as they dream of a historical first-ever four major trophies in one season, but concerns remains high over who from Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah will still be at the club next season.