Liverpool will enter contract talks with 'irreplaceable' star ‘within a week of the season ending’

Jurgen Klopp’s looming departure has sparked much speculation over whether some of Liverpool’s most important players will see this as their sign to leave at the end of the season as well. Mohamed Salah remains the man in the spotlight as Saudi Arabia emerge once again to try and prise him away from Anfield.

The Egyptian’s contract is due to run out in 2025, putting him in a similar boat to his captain and vice-captain. Both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also entering the final 12 months of their current terms, which has resulted in some mild concern over whether they are willing to commit their futures to Liverpool or looking for a move away.

Van Dijk recently admitted in an interview that there were no updates to provide on his immediate future, stating: “There will be a lot of changes happening and I wouldn’t say scary is the right word, but it is quite interesting and exciting what will happen now. So let’s see.”

However, a new report has claimed that talks are due to be held with the skipper ‘within a week of the season ending’ as the Reds start to prepare for the post-Klopp era. According to Football Insider, Liverpool will instigate talks over a new deal with Van Dijk at the end of the campaign, as he is now the ‘A1 priority’ to keep hold of.

Despite his advancing years — he turns 33 in July — Liverpool view the centre-back as an ‘irreplaceable’ part of the team. Van Dijk signed for the Reds back in 2017 for £75 million and played a major part in transforming Klopp’s backline.

He has been a mainstay in the team since he arrived and has been regarded by many over the years as one of the best central defenders in the world. Since the departure of Jordan Henderson, the Dutch international has also taken on the armband, and lifted his first trophy as captain earlier this season after the Reds’ Carabao Cup triumph.

Extending his contract at Anfield will undoubtedly settle any nerves ahead of the appointment of Klopp’s replacement, and a so far uncertain new era at the club. Arne Slot is expected to be unveiled as the Reds’ new manager, and inheriting as many of Klopp’s star players as possible will give him a huge boost to his debut season on Merseyside.