Paul Merson sends 'toxic' warning to Liverpool with triple contract prediction

Paul Merson has warned Liverpool that things could become "toxic" if three contract situations are not resolved. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract at the end of the season as things stand.

Talks remain underway between Liverpool and the representatives of each member of the trio. It remains to be seen if an agreement will be reached with either Salah, Alexander-Arnold or Van Dijk, as speculation continues to swirl about each of their respective futures.

The ECHO reported in September that Salah is desperate to extend his contract with Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold has been linked with Real Madrid in recent months, while there also remains uncertainty about Van Dijk's future.

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Merson has issued a warning to the Anfield hierarchy about the unresolved contracts, believing that Liverpool fans could express their displeasure towards Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk, as well as the club itself. The former Arsenal star also weighed in on why he believes one of the trio may sign a pre-contract agreement with a club outside England in the New Year.

"The contract situation at Liverpool is getting a bit nervy, isn't it? I got this feeling that one of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah will sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January," Merson told Sportskeeda.

"We might not see it in public, but they might just do it. If you've got just six months left on your contract and you get injured, what happens then? Better safe than sorry.

"I'm not sure if Van Dijk will do it, but one of the other two [Alexander-Arnold and Salah] might. I think it could be Alexander-Arnold, especially with talk about Real Madrid as well.

"Everything is perfect at Liverpool now, so no one is talking about this situation. But if they start losing games, it could get a little bit toxic with fans calling them out.

"I might be wrong, but the fans will be angry, especially with someone homegrown like Alexander-Arnold if he doesn't sign and they start losing.

"When you think of it, it's actually quite unbelievable. They are probably the first three names on the teamsheet at Liverpool and yet they are out of contract in six months!"