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David Ornstein has revealed what Arne Slot and Richard Hughes would ideally want from the contract talks in terms of the lengths of deals.

As Liverpool enters 2025, the club faces a delicate situation with three of its most influential players able to discuss terms with foreign clubs from January 1st.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have contracts expiring in June 2025, creating an unprecedented scenario for the Merseyside club.

The situation bears striking similarities to Salah’s previous contract saga in 2022.

Then, negotiations stretched until June, with the Egyptian initially fearing no agreement would be reached during his holiday in El Gouna.

The final deal required intense negotiations, with Mike Gordon steering talks and Julian Ward flying to Mykonos to seal the agreement.

Liverpool FC secured Mohamed Salah’s contract at the last stage back in 2022.

Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images.

Liverpool’s hierarchy remains “calm and confident” about retaining at least two of the trio.

Van Dijk has confirmed ongoing discussions while maintaining diplomatic silence about his future

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold’s situation has garnered particular attention due to reported interest from Real Madrid – with Steve McManaman recently giving his account as to why a move to Real Madrid could backfire.

Arne Slot has masterfully managed the situation, maintaining team harmony despite the uncertainty.

The Reds remain unbeaten in 22 games, with all three players performing exceptionally well despite all the speculation.

What did David Ornstein say about Arne Slot and Richard Hughes?

There was much said of the distinction in roles Arne Slot would take on at Anfield.

When Arne Slot joined Liverpool in June 2024, he became the club’s first-ever head coach rather than manager, marking a significant shift in the club’s 130-year history.

This change reflected a broader restructuring of Liverpool’s football operations.

Liverpool believed this new structure better suited the complexities of modern football, providing their head coach with more support rather than less authority.

But it seems that the Dutchman naturally holds some sort of authority or say over the contract lengths of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

At least according to David Ornstein, who tells NBC Sports Soccer that Slot and Hughes want the pair to sign two-year deals as renewals:

“The feeling around Liverpool is that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will eventually end up signing,” he said.

“The suggestion that I am getting is that it will be a two-year contract.”

“That is what Arne Slot wants, that is what Richard Hughes the Sporting Director wants, both players it is felt want to stay?

What they need to get right is the financial aspect.”

Read More: Fabrizio Romano provides more details on Real Madrid Trent Alexander-Arnold talks

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