Liverpool 'preference' emerges over Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold futures

Liverpool is set for a busy summer as Jürgen Klopp prepares to leave Anfield. A number of players are out of contract but there are three more deals to sort and the Reds' priority is clear.

Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in 2025, having played key roles in Klopp's nine-year tenure on Merseyside. They are likely to be part of Arne Slot's plans too, as he looks set to take over from the German.

A new deal for Alexander-Arnold does seem to be a no-brainer but decisions will need to be made over his two teammates. Van Dijk and Salah are still performing at a high level, but will be 33 and 32 this summer.

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Salah's future remains the source of much speculation with Saudi Pro League clubs likely to reignite their interest As things stand, Liverpool is planning for next season with the Egyptian involved.

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Liverpool is likely to ramp up conversations with the trio and do plan on keeping all of them. Yet it is stated the 'preference' would be for none of Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold to enter the final 12 months of their contracts.

That could be inevitable if agreements cannot be reached but failure to do so would open Liverpool up to raids from foreign clubs as early as January. Real Madrid, in particular, has been linked with England international Alexander-Arnold.

Contract decisions will lie in the hands of new sporting director Richard Hughes, and predecessor Michael Edwards, with Slot assuming the title of head coach. He will likely have some say in transfer dealings but not the same control that Klopp has had in recent years.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool is right to want the futures of the three players sorted going into next season. Allowing any player to enter the final 12 months of their contract is a risky strategy and leaves the Reds open to low bids and January approaches. You would expect new deals to be on the table as soon as the summer gets underway but it remains to be seen if pen will be put to paper.