David Ornstein issues salary verdict on Liverpool duo van Dijk and Salah
Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the end of the season.
The two players have been key to the Reds’ title charge this campaign and thus far, they’ve not put pen to paper on new deals.
Salah is on course to win another Premier League Golden Boot while the Dutch centre-back has been among the best defenders in the league.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit is not likely to have any bearing on Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah deals
David Ornstein was asked about the impact Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit will have on van Dijk and Salah’s new wages at the club.
The England international appears set to join Real Madrid come the end of the season.
However, Ornstein does not see that have any bearing on Salah and van Dijk’s deals.
| Club stats 2024-25 (all competitions) | Salah |
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 32 |
| Assists | 22 |
| Minutes Played | 3,696 |
The Reds are not expected to offer higher wages than what’s already on the table
He wrote in the Athletic on 27 March: “My assumption is that Liverpool will have had a certain amount of clarity on the Alexander-Arnold situation for some time, certainly compared to us on the outside, and therefore I’m not sure it would have much/any bearing on the Salah and Van Dijk budgets.
“Each case has probably been dealt with in its own right and on merit, with much deeper thinking than just shifting money around.
“I don’t think a salary saving on Alexander-Arnold will suddenly see more money allocated to Salah and Van Dijk; it surely doesn’t work like that, and personally I’d find it a bit strange if they found out about Alexander-Arnold and then suddenly went to the other two and offered them a load more than had previously been on the table.
“I suspect the club and the players will be making their decisions irrespective of the potential Alexander-Arnold saving.”
Liverpool have to tie down Salah and van Dijk to new contracts
With Trent’s departure looming, securing new contracts for Salah and van Dijk becomes critical for Liverpool to maintain their competitive edge.
Salah, at 32, remains a world-class forward, consistently delivering goals and assists.
Losing him alongside Trent would dismantle Liverpool’s attacking dynamism, especially given his record of 20+ goals across eight seasons.
Van Dijk, 33, is equally vital as the defensive linchpin and captain, orchestrating a backline that’s conceded just 27 league goals.
His leadership and composure are the bedrock of Liverpool’s title challenge.
Trent’s exit already weakens the right flank and set-piece creativity, amplifying the need to retain Salah’s scoring prowess and Van Dijk’s defensive stability.
Without them, the Reds risk a drastic dip in quality and morale, jeopardising their pursuit of trophies under Arne Slot.
Their experience, proven success and ability to perform at an elite level make them indispensable.
New deals signal ambition, ensuring continuity as the Reds navigate this transitional phase.