Liverpool record signing still can't believe Sadio Mane decision as FSG money demand sent

Sadio Mane of Liverpool prior the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France.
-Credit: (Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)


Liverpool and their owners FSG have been told they will need to break the bank to tie down Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to new contracts, by former striker Dean Saunders. And the ex-Wales international admits he wouldn't be surprised if Alexander-Arnold moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.

Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold are all into the final months of their respective contracts and are able to speak to clubs outside of England about a pre-contract agreement from January 1, leaving the Reds facing the prospect of all three walking away as free agents at the end of the current season.

Talks remain ongoing with the representatives of the trio but there has been little in the way of public progress on any deal and Saunders is concerned about the apparent lack of progress for three players who are among the most important for the current Premier League leaders.

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Saunders, who won the FA Cup with Liverpool in 1992 after joining for a then British transfer record fee of £2.9m the previous year, says the club will need to dig deep to ensure Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold all pen new contracts at Anfield, while also revealing his surprise at seeing Sadio Mane leave for Bayern Munich in 2022.

“My biggest worry for Liverpool is if they lose Trent, Van Dijk and Alisson," Saunders told bettingexpert.com. "They’re the best three players in the team and it’ll be difficult to replace them.

"So they need to give them the money. Money talks. I was surprised they let Mane go. I would have offered him what he wanted. If you want to win the league you’ve got to put your hand in your pocket.

“Trent can get £300k a week from someone else like Real Madrid. Don’t be surprised if you see him at Real Madrid. If other clubs are willing to pay the wages and Liverpool want to win the league they’ve got to say here’s the money.”

Liverpool have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season having shipped just two goals in seven games and Saunders thinks Slot has a number of superb options at his disposal when it comes to the centre-back department.

Saunders added: "When you’re a big club you’ve got to have players who know their place and won’t let you down through attitude. (Ibrahima) Konate is a great player and Van Dijk is a Rolls Royce of a player.

"Slot has (Jarell) Quansah, (Joe) Gomez and Konate to choose from and I think all three are really good. Konate is great, Quansah could be a great player and Gomez is a good player. He can come in and his attitude will be spot on.”