Liverpool have a big game on Sunday in what could be the last cup final for a number of star players.

The Reds are hurting this week after being dumped out of the Champions League at the hands of PSG.

But Sunday’s Carabao Cup final provides the perfect chance for Liverpool to bounce back.



The right-back will miss what is set to be his final chance of winning a cup with his boyhood club.

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For fellow out-of-contract pair Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, however, the landscape is slightly different.

Ahead of what could be their last Wembley appearance, Rousing The Kop transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has explained the lay of the land regarding new contracts for the pair.

Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images

With barely two months of the season to go, Liverpool are playing a dangerous game with Van Dijk and Salah.

But according to Bailey, Alexander-Arnold cannot be included here.

The journalist says it has now been ‘privately accepted’ at Anfield that the right-back is on his way to Real Madrid.

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“We know Trent is basically done with Real and Liverpool are privately accepting that now,” he says.

“It is what it is.”

However, Bailey says the Reds are not ready to admit defeat on either Van Dijk or Salah and are set for a ‘renewed push’ during the upcoming international break.

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“Liverpool are planning a renewed push for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah during the March international break,” he says.

There will be hope that the two camps and Liverpool will come closer together if nothing else.”

Bailey goes on to say that although Liverpool are still pushing to keep Van Dijk and Salah at the club, there is ‘surprise’ from within Anfield – and from the player himself – that Van Dijk’s contract in particular is yet to be resolved.

“Liverpool have been confident with Van Dijk since last summer, from what I’m told there is surprise from within the club and especially Van Dijk’s camp that it’s come to this,” says the reporter.

“From what I’m told, both he and Salah’s camp don’t believe that the demands are excessive, they both think they’re at market value, but that’s where we are.”

With so little time left before the end of their respective contracts, Bailey says we will soon know whether Liverpool’s late push has been successful.

“After this international window we’ll have a real indication of where we’re heading,” he reveals.

“At this moment Van Dijk seems to be further away than ever.