Liverpool Legend: Renewing Van Dijk’s Contract is More Urgent Than Keeping Salah, Reds to Finish Above Man City in Second Place

Several key players for Liverpool are set to see their contracts expire next summer. However, according to Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson, the club should prioritize renewing Van Dijk’s contract, even ahead of Salah. Additionally, Mark Lawrenson believes that Liverpool will finish above Manchester City in second place this season.

With contracts for Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold all expiring next summer, Mark Lawrenson states that renewing Van Dijk’s contract is the most critical, “I think the most pressing matter is renewing Van Dijk’s contract. This is not only due to his on-field performance and leadership but also his importance to the locker room.”

Of course, in Mark Lawrenson’s view, Van Dijk is an indispensable core player for Liverpool’s defense, “He is the heart of this team. If he leaves, it would be a huge loss. I can see that when he was injured, Liverpool struggled to find a replacement. In the long term, keeping Van Dijk is more beneficial to the team.”

While Van Dijk is crucial to Liverpool, Mark Lawrenson also does not want to see Alexander-Arnold and Salah leave, “Whoever leaves Liverpool will cost the club a hefty transfer fee to find replacements on the market. Of course, they have the leverage to negotiate with the club; we cannot blame them for wanting to leave, that’s just how it is.”

Moreover, Mark Lawrenson believes that Liverpool will finish in second place this season, with Arsenal ultimately winning the title, and defending champions Manchester City ending up in third place, “Manchester City has various issues, while Arsenal looks hungrier for the title. I think their performance this season will be hard for any team to surpass.”