By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com
A lot of that stems from latest outcomes: exiting the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain, dropping the Carabao Cup closing to Newcastle and, most not too long ago, being comprehensively crushed by Fulham within the Premier League.
However additionally it is a storm that has been brewing for the entire marketing campaign, regardless of an impressive debut season for Jürgen Klopp’s successor, Arne Slot.
After a summer time that noticed solely Federico Chiesa arrive – to play a bit-part position, no much less – the rising uncertainty across the futures of three of Liverpool’s most vital gamers has fed into the sensation of unease.
That has spiralled prior to now fortnight as – on the again of these defeats to PSG and Newcastle, that means the trophies on supply diminished from a practical three to 1 – information broke of Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s imminent transfer to Actual Madrid.
A boyhood Crimson opting to go away on a free switch on the finish of a nearly sure title-winning marketing campaign has not gone down nicely with supporters, and it has solely led to additional questions over the long-term planning of these off the sector.
And with each Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah in the identical place as Alexander-Arnold, with solely three months remaining on their contracts, fears that this may very well be one and executed for Liverpool’s new regime are justified.
To lose Alexander-Arnold can be an enormous blow, however to additionally see Van Dijk and Salah go away can be catastrophic; three of an important gamers within the membership’s historical past, and nonetheless the three greatest gamers within the squad, all departing for nothing forward of a summer time the place there are already urgent issues to handle elsewhere.
Thankfully, after months of non-updates on his scenario, Van Dijk instructed journalists after the 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage that “there may be progress” in talks over an extension.
Immediately, the temper shifts, and with The Athletic’s David Ornstein describing it as a matter of “when reasonably than if” each Van Dijk and Salah put pen to paper on new offers, that pessimism over Liverpool’s run-in is abated.
Making certain the dedication of their captain and third-top goalscorer of all time would go a protracted solution to future-proofing Slot’s squad for long-term success.
Lastly, it might reply questions over whether or not new signings can be becoming a member of to play alongside Van Dijk and Salah or as a part of a near-impossible activity to recreate their affect within the combination.
For instance Milos Kerkez, the Bournemouth left-back on the prime of the shortlist for Andy Robertson replacements, might be assured that he would begin subsequent to one of many world’s greatest centre-backs if he opted for Anfield, reasonably than one other new face.
And the likes of Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley, themselves in talks over new contracts, would know they’re tying themselves to a steady venture reasonably than one in transition.
Liverpool will ultimately want to maneuver on from Van Dijk, who turns 34 in July, and Salah, 33 in June, however they will unwell afford to take action in a summer time the place they could even be seeking to signal one other centre-back, a right-back, a left-back, one other midfielder and probably two attackers.
So lengthy the bedrock of this Liverpool aspect, having the pair signal past the top of this season can be a sign of stability in a interval of great change; proof that there might be longevity to Slot’s early success.
All indicators level to Van Dijk placing pen to paper first, and an announcement within the coming days would, maybe most significantly, restore constructive feeling round a time that ought to see Merseyside celebrating.
Liverpool are, in spite of everything, champions-elect. The depth of their latest run of outcomes could not feed into that, however that may be a outstanding achievement.
Few, if any, anticipated Slot to win the Premier League in his first season at Liverpool head coach and he has all however executed so in emphatic style.
The uncertainty across the squad has soured that, however it’s removed from irrevocable; these months and months of angst across the contract scenario might be overturned by the sight of the captain holding up a ‘Van Dijk 2027(+1)’ shirt and Salah to observe.
It might not clear up all the things, however in a sport that’s so centred round emotion, it might definitely elevate the temper round what needs to be a monumental event for the membership.
Van Dijk himself will know that. It’s time for Liverpool and their captain to make that assertion.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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