Liverpool have been hugely impressive so far this season, but a big talking point around the club has been the future of their three biggest stars, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. We spoke to Liverpool great Jan Molby who shared his thoughts on the Liverpool trio.
All three of them have been a big part of Liverpool’s success in recent years, but at this moment in time, it’s not certain that their futures are with the Reds at Anfield.
The trio’s contracts expire at the end of the 2024/25 season but Molby doesn’t believe that all three of them will leave, and actually has a strong feeling that the club’s biggest star Mohamed Salah wants to stick around.
Furthermore, he shared his thoughts on Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo, when we sat down talking to him.
“I can’t see all three of them leaving”
A lot of Liverpool fans are probably hoping to keep all three of their key men, or at least having hopes of not all of them leaving. Molby says to BonusCodeBets that he can’t imagine all of them leaving, which many Liverpool fans will be hoping is the case this summer.
“No I can’t see all three of them leaving and I don’t think it’s a case of Liverpool being willing to give one player more money if two were to leave.
“Liverpool are very strict in the offers being made. Van Dijk is relaxed and the club are negotiating. Salah has been more verbal but I don’t think it can be doubted that Mo wants to stay but of course he wants it to be right.
“Mo knows his value especially when you look at the fact that he trains everyday and plays every game in which he produces a goal or an assist. He’s also a world icon and that costs.”
When it comes to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Molby is well aware that the right-back has been heavily linked to Real Madrid, and he thinks it’s hard to predict whether the Englishman will stay at Liverpool.
Furthermore, he shares his thoughts on the comments previously made by Trent, where he said winning a Ballon D’or would mean more to him than winning the World Cup with England.
“Trent is a difficult one because Trent has negotiated contracts with Liverpool before and it’s never been played out in the media and this won’t be either. Although noises in Spain say that he’s Real Madrid bound.
“Trent saying winning the Ballon D’or would mean more than winning the World Cup is an odd statement to make. You don’t expect to hear that from anybody who plays in a team sport.
“But I understand the importance of winning The Ballon D’Or. We saw how disappointed Vini Jr was when Rodri won it. Trent, as good and as unique a player as he is, will find it difficult to be the best player at Real Madrid let alone the world.”
Liverpool can cope with Trent leaving
If it ends up with Alexander-Arnold leaving, Liverpool have a strong replacement in Conor Bradley, and Molby is fairly confident that Bradley has a big future at Liverpool, which is why the club would be able to cope if Trent leaves.
“Trent is a unique footballer. He’s a right back but more so, he’s a very good footballer. Connor Bradley’s different. He’s always in the right position when we defend or attack. He’s never overexposed, he’s quick and he’s determined.
“Whilst I don’t think Liverpool will be happy to see Trent go, it’s an area I think the club can cope with and maybe get a back up in. But it looks like Conor Bradley has a big future in the game. A big future in the game.”
Gakpo is finally getting his reward
At the other end of the pitch, Cody Gakpo has been brilliant for Arne Slot’s side this season, and Molby has compared the Dutchman to Salah.
“When Liverpool signed him I thought he was a wide attacker and Liverpool at the time had other ideas. Maybe they were looking for a Bobby Firmino replacement. Someone who played in the false nine and linked up play.
“But he’s a player that wants to learn and he’s eager to listen and I think he’s now getting his rewards for sticking at it. He’s playing as a wide attacker on the left and he’s having a super season.
“He’s a bit like Mohamed Salah as a goal threat. He’s having a fine season. He’s exploded and shown what he can produce.”
