"It needs clarification sooner rather than later" – Ally McCoist issues stern warning to Liverpool amid speculations surrounding trio
Rangers great Ally McCoist has urged Liverpool to sort out star attacker Mohamed Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk, and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold's respective contract situations.
The Reds, who have won all three of their Premier League games this season, are currently in a pickle. They could lose the aforementioned trio for free next summer should they not offer the players new deals.
Speaking recently on talkSPORT BET, McCoist claimed that Liverpool should put a stop to the speculations around Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold's respecitve futures soon. He opined (h/t Mirror):
"It's critical Liverpool sign Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk to new deals before the end of the season. There is a cloud of uncertainty around the future of all their best players due to their contract situations and it needs clarification sooner rather than later."
McCoist, who helped Rangers win a staggering 20 trophies, added:
"For me, [they] cannot allow their contracts to run down. The club will end up kissing goodbye to upwards of a quarter of a billion pounds in player value and three of the main players to turn the club into what it is today... that does not make business sense!"
Sharing further thoughts on the Reds trio's contract situations, he said:
"As a Liverpool fan, you'd want to know what's going on with your best players and I'm sure the supporters will want some clarity on it. Ideally, you'd want all three to sign new deals... they're irreplaceable. At the very least, getting them to sign a new contract means that the club will receive the money they are worth to them. They cannot be allowed to leave the club for nothing!"
Liverpool set to focus on contract renewals
According to the Press Association, Liverpool are expected to open talks with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold soon. Reds sporting director Richard Hughes was waiting for the summer transfer window to end to focus on potential contract extensions.
The aforementioned trio are likely to be handed new deals with improved terms. Salah is currently the Reds' highest-earning player, reportedly raking in £350,000-a-week. Van Dijk is on a £220,000-per-week salary, while Alexander-Arnold is earning £180,000-per-week.
While the Egyptian superstar allegedly attracted attention from the Saudi Pro League in the past, Alexander-Arnold has recently found himself being linked with Real Madrid due to his contract situation. Van Dijk, on the other hand, is the oldest of the aforesaid troika at 33.