Liverpool’s contract saga involving Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold has sparked debate, with club legend Robbie Fowler weighing in with a fresh theory on the apparent stand-off. The key trio, all pivotal to Liverpool’s success, are approaching the final months of their contracts at Anfield, yet no agreements for extensions have been reached.

On the pitch, all three played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s dramatic 2-0 win over Brentford. After enduring a frustrating game offensively, Darwin Nunez emerged as the hero with two stoppage-time goals, securing the Reds a vital victory. The result extended Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, bolstered by Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa just hours later.

With 17 league matches remaining, Liverpool’s pursuit of a 20th league title intensifies. Yet, the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold continues to overshadow much of the transfer chatter, leaving fans and pundits guessing what comes next for the iconic trio.

Robbie Fowler has established himself in Liverpool legend with 183 goals in 357 games for the club. He was nicknamed “God” during his playing days as he spent eight years at his boyhood club between 1993 and 2001 before returning for a second spell in 2006. He won an FA Cup, UEFA Cup (now Europa League), Super Cup and two League Cups with the Reds.

Speaking about the contract situation at Liverpool, Fowler proposed his theory on what was happening. He told Prime Video, via Glasgow World: “I do have a little theory actually, I don’t know if this is so far from the truth. I just think two of them have signed already, for some reason and maybe one hasn’t. But a simple fact is that the club can’t come out and say ‘you have signed’ because it makes the other one look worse. I think there is a possibility that may have happened.”

Reports from the Netherlands earlier this month claimed Van Dijk was on the verge of a new deal. Alexander-Arnold has been targeted by Real Madrid while there is interest from Saudi Arabia in Salah.All three players are free to speak to foreign clubs about agreeing a pre-contract deal. It means Alexander-Arnold would be able to agree a free transfer to Real Madrid this summer if that was his wish while Salah and Van Dijk could also confirm their next moves before the season is out.

Speaking late last month, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said the trio are in “constant talks”. He told a press conference: “If we would [have made any breakthroughs] then it’s probably not the moment to tell you now. In general, I don’t talk about contract situations here. It would be a surprise if I was the one to announce that one of them has extended. Keep asking, that’s your job, but you’re probably not going to get an answer from me. It’s clear that from 1 January, maybe for you guys (media), things change a lot but they are in constant talks with the club and let’s wait and see what happens. As long as they keep performing like this, the head coach is happy.”

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