Arne Slot Faces Difficult Situation When Liverpool Key Players Run Out Of Contract

Virgil van Dijk still appears consistent even though his future is not yet clear at Liverpool (Instagram/@virgilvandijk).

JAKARTA - Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted that he did not speak to the three key players about his contract situation.

For example, Van Dijk has entered the last months to be able to have agent-free status. As is known, the 33-year-old defender has a contract until June 2025.

However, six months before his contract expires, Van Dijk will be able to be agent-free if there is no contract extension.

Then, the future of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold at the club is also worth three. The two players have not signed a contract extension which ends at the end of this season.

However, Slot could not do much because he was not authorized to be involved in talks about the contract with the three players.

The problem is, Arne Slot really wants all three to survive because they are players who appear consistent.

"The contract situation is a problem if the players don't perform as well as they are now. Currently, the three are in good condition, looking very, very good."

"There is discussions (specifically Virgil van Dijk) continuing with people that Virgil thinks should be talked to. It's not me. I talked to him about other things."

"Virgil is completely correct that he doesn't know what his future will be like if he hasn't signed a contract yet," Slot said at the end of yesterday's draw at ESPN.

However, Arne Slot remains unaffected by the situation considering the appearance of his three on the ground also shows no signs of being disturbed about the future.

Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are part of the back line that saw Liverpool become the least conceded team in the Premier League this season.

They just conceded six goals. Then, five assists and seven Mo Salah goals in the league have taken Liverpool to the top of the table.

Obviously, Arne Slot was faced with a difficult situation related to the three pillar players. While monitoring their future development, the 46-year-old coach focused on preparing several names in anticipation.

Some of the names in question are still in the treatment room. Slots have so far continued to supervise the Liverpool team of doctors so that they can recover as soon as possible.

They are Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota who missed Liverpool's last two matches against Brighton in the Carabao Cup and Premier League.

In addition, there is also Federico Chiesa who was just bought in the summer exchange yesterday.

"(I've said it several times, it's always difficult to tell you exactly when they're ready."

"The problem is, the last phase of recovery could be a few days later or less. Let's see if they (Alisson and Jota) can join us after the international break."

"(Federico) Chiesa has not returned before the international break. We hope he can do a lot at the international break and then join us," said Arne Slot.

Liverpool have started Manchester City from the top of the 2024/2025 Premier League standings after winning against Brighton on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Unfortunately for The Citizens, in the same week they lost against Bournemouth which made Guardiola's team fail to maintain the top of the standings.