Liverpool exclusive: Finance expert shares verdict on Anfield contracts saga
Liverpool need to get the expiring contracts of three of their players sorted out regardless of the outcome, Dan Plumley has said.
The Reds are top of the Premier League with a six-point margin and qualified for the Champions League round of 16 after topping the league phase.
They are also in the final of the Carabao Cup after a 4-0 hammering of Tottenham on Thursday (6 February) and face Championship outfit Plymouth in the FA Cup on 9 February.
However, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold threatens to derail an outstanding season the longer it drags on.
Liverpool need to sort out their contract saga
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, Plumley urged the Anfield outfit to sort out their contract saga urgently, regardless of the outcome, saying: “There is a bit of risk in that and they made it pretty clear that they were not going to entertain an offer for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Looking at what they do with those three players in the next few weeks and I know they are in negotiations and we are led to believe there are offers on the table.
“That ultimately will dictate what happens with Liverpool in the summer and they are probably wanting to keep all of them with the way it is looking.
“There is a long way to go with that but behind the scenes, you would be pretty confident that they have plans A, B, C, D and beyond depending on what happens with those three players.
“Irrespective of where they are at now and the positivity, getting towards the summer those three contracts have got to be sorted out, one way or the other and sooner rather than later ideally.”
Contract situation could derail Liverpool season
The Reds were in a similar situation this time last season under Jurgen Klopp, top of the league and into the Carabao Cup final with a potential quadruple still on.
Ultimately, the announcement that the German was leaving proved too much of a distraction and the Merseysiders won just one trophy.
The contract situation threatens to be a similar distraction this campaign even if Arne Slot insists that it will not affect anything on the pitch.
Whether it is a help or a hindrance remains to be seen.