Liverpool's Premier League title ambitions have received a massive boost, with the club feeling increasingly optimistic about striking new deals with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Fans are overjoyed by this development, coming after the latter's positive update on his contract talks, especially after Liverpool had to endure a slight drop from its usual high standards.
Despite recovering from their Champions League knockout and Carabao Cup final loss with a win against Everton in the Merseyside derby, the Reds faced another hiccup with a 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage against Fulham. This result keeps Arne Slot's team 11 points clear at the top ahead of West Ham United's trip to Anfield.
Eyes will be fixated on Van Dijk and leading scorer Salah, with the duo looking poised to cement their commitment by signing new two-year contracts. While speculation looms over Trent Alexander-Arnold's future at the club, securing the dedication of two key players is undoubtedly significant for the Reds.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson acknowledged his misjudgment on Sky Sports: "It's massive, huge," he commented. "I didn't expect any of them to sign if I'm being honest.
"To get those two signed is phenomenal. But it's bad news for Arsenal, bad news for Manchester City, and bad news for Chelsea. Those two staying will make Liverpool very strong again next season.
"If they would have lost those two, or two of the three, I thought they would have been right up against it next season."
Merson previously expressed doubts about the trio's future at Anfield, stating: "I've been saying it for the last eight or nine months - I don't see any of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk signing at Liverpool.
"Because I just don't know why you wouldn't have signed already. Why would you keep on losing £80,000 a week, every week for the last 18 months? I'd be quite shocked if all three stayed from here."
Merson also defended Liverpool's recent performances, saying they have been unfairly criticised despite their dominant position in the Premier League. He added: "Liverpool have won the league quite easily. The league is the Holy Grail. The league is the ultimate. The cup competitions are bonuses.
"Liverpool have been amazing this season. You're always going to drop off a bit when you're that much clear. I think they took a bit of undue stick when they lost to Paris Saint-Germain and then the lost the League Cup final. I thought it was a bit unfair to be honest."
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FanaticsAlexander-Arnold's tenure at Liverpool, like that of Van Dijk and Salah, is due to come to a close as his contract ends after this season. Yet, it seems the Reds' homegrown talent won't be renewing his stay, but rather, he's poised to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Merson weighed in with high praise for the full-back: "I think he's the best passer of a football in the Premier League by a country mile. He takes a lot of stick for his defending but he's won everything there is to win in the game so I'm not sure how that plays out really. If you couldn't defend, you wouldn't be playing right-back for Liverpool.
"He's a special player. Who turns down Real Madrid? He shouldn't get stick. He's won everything with Liverpool, he cost them nothing, and he's going to go for nothing."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
