Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk could all be at the club next season despite their contract uncertainty. The ex-England international has backed two of Arne Slot‘s core trio to “definitely” remain, while he has been left on the fence about the third.
Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk’s current deals are set to expire in July, and there is little indication that an extension of any of them is imminent.
Liverpool are in the midst of a pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple in Slot’s first season since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield hotseat.
The Reds are in pole position to lift a record-equalling 20th title this term, sitting comfortably at the Premier League summit, six points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand.
They are also set to top the league phase in UEFA’s new-look Champions League format, having won all seven of their matches so far with PSV Eindhoven left to play.
Slot’s side is, too, closing in on more short-term silverware in the Carabao Cup despite trailing Tottenham 1-0 after the first leg of their semi-final. They are heavily favoured to progress at Anfield.
Liverpool have also set sail in the FA Cup, booking a favourable fourth-round draw at Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle with a 4-0 triumph over Accrington Stanley.
The Merseyside giants’ early success under Slot has left many pondering why any of Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk would be considering an exit.
But Heskey is confident that, based on what he has heard surrounding the situation, Salah and Van Dijk will commit their futures to the club.
The 47-year-old agreed with the general consensus that Alexander-Arnold was the most likely to depart amid strong interest from Real Madrid.
However, he has shown more optimism that the No. 66 will stay at his boyhood club than most.
“I believe two of them will be [staying at Liverpool], definitely. The third one – Trent Alexander-Arnold – is a bit 50/50,” Heskey told Express Sport with Casino Scout.
Slot has understandably remained coy on all three futures while he’s been navigating a so-far tremendous debut season in English football.
He most recently joked that Liverpool should offer the crucial trio rolling contracts if it meant they would maintain their current performance levels.
“If I look at the performances of the players, you have to say that it is the opposite,” Slot told Prime Video Sport when asked whether the speculation has impacted his star men.
“I think Virgil, Mo and Trent have always reached a certain standard or above, so you can look at it in a way, if we are able to extend them, maybe we should only do it for one year.
“So we have the same first half of the season next year again!”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk