Uncertainty surrounds the futures of several key Liverpool players this summer.
The Reds have become used to losing big stars over the past couple of years, having seen the disintegration of Jurgen Klopp’s brilliant team.
With Klopp himself now replaced by Arne Slot, it seems certain that there will be further changes over the next 12 months.
Before Slot even gets to work at the AXA Training Centre he’s having to deal with rumours that some of his top players could leave.
Some of the loudest gossip has been over the future of captain Virgil van Dijk. And, unfortunately, it does seem as though there may be some truth to the chatter.
Virgil van Dijk sounding out Saudi options
As every Liverpool fan will by now know, the Reds have three contract situations that they really must sort out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk all have just one year left on their current deals. There should be worry over each of them.
The thinking has always seemed to have been that Van Dijk would sign a new contract. Despite his advancing years, the 32-year-old is still one of the best players in the Liverpool squad.
That could certainly still happen of course, but Reds fans will still have been concerned to see reports that Van Dijk has spoken to Al Nassr about joining them.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk explains why ‘it doesn’t make sense’ for him to sign a new Liverpool contract now
According to journalist David Lynch, there may be just cause for worry. Lynch told his YouTube channel that although Liverpool don’t actively want to lose Van Dijk, there is ‘definitely truth’ to claims that the Dutchman is exploring his options.
“Another rumour in terms of outgoings that’s popped up is the potential for Virgil van Dijk to go to Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr,” explains the reporter. “It’s one of those that I think there is definitely truth in this.
“I know the reporter who broke this, Ismael Mahmoud, has really good sources in Saudi Arabia and I know that story’s been followed up elsewhere. That’s been proven that there’s some legs to it,” Lynch adds.
“Liverpool say they’ve had no approach so far, there’s nobody coming in and they wouldn’t welcome one either. They don’t want to make a big sale to get rid of Van Dijk. They see him very much as part of the short-term future of the club. At the very least they expect he’s going to be here for the next season and he’s said that himself.”
No exit imminent for Virgil van Dijk
Despite assertions that Van Dijk is indeed speaking to Al Nassr about a possible move, it seems unlikely that it would happen this summer.
There is always a chance that the Saudi sides come in with something Liverpool simply couldn’t say no to. But for now, that doesn’t seem forthcoming.
Instead, it feels that Van Dijk is plotting his next move. If Liverpool do not offer him a new deal, he knows where he can get one.
In our opinion, the Reds need to head off this kind of thing as soon as they can. Van Dijk was Liverpool’s best player last season. Although he turns 33 in July, the centre-back is still on top of his game.
There’s a chance that he could decline beyond 2025, of course. But that’s a risk FSG have to be willing to take.
We know the Liverpool owners don’t like to hand big contracts out to those over the age of 30. But Van Dijk is a generational player. They have to make a move to tie him down before it becomes too late.