Slot could face a greater Liverpool disaster than Trent

At its best under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool were a force of nature. Wrecking ball. The team from Anfield demolished the opponents with irresistible speed and power.

Arne Slott does things differently. The Dutch coach carries a semblance of his predecessor’s style, but his Liverpool provide more control, more composure and are firing on all cylinders.

If only we could preserve this group of talented players and keep them together for many years to come. But football is subject to frequent changes and Liverpool face losing some of their prized possessions as Slott fights for the biggest honors Europe has to offer.

Trent Alexander-Arnoldof course, it is the biggest problem that FSG needs to deal with.

The latest on Trent Alexander-Arnold

The Spanish media have strongly reiterated their view that Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is on the verge of signing for Real Madrid in 2025, either this month or in the summer.

Anfield sources tried to allay fears by repeating, time and time again, that nothing had been decided and Alexander-Arnold had not spoken of his desire to leave for pastures new.

However, time is ticking and Fabrizio Romano, the unfailing source of information, has confirmed that Real are expected to make contact with the 26-year-old soon.

It became quite easy to forget that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are in the same boat. While seasoned superstars are new deals are expected on Merseysidethere is no doubt that both represent attractive opportunities for the biggest clubs around the world.

And that’s exactly why FSG need to increase the gas, because Liverpool’s captain has a great interest in the superpower of the Champions League.

Inter Milan are eyeing the Liverpool superstar

Spanish sources revealed at the end of December that the giants of the Champions League, Inter Milan, are interested in signing Van Dijk when his own A contract worth £220k a week expires at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The 33-year-old defender has been in stunning form this season, restoring Liverpool’s defensive authority and allowing flashier team-mates like Salah to steal the headlines.

Van Dijk has been coy when quizzed about his future over the past few months but is keen to continue his journey to Liverpool, although Serie A champions Inter have been on it since the autumn and hope their established foundation can maintain an impact if Liverpool’s sport-changing director Richard Hughes falters at the negotiating table.

Combined with the obvious advantage that Van Dijk has a deep-seated love for Liverpool, they also boast financial superiority that would make it extremely difficult for Inter to eclipse a wage offer and entice Van Dijk to leave.

Liverpool still have to be careful and get the job done quickly. Losing the Dutch captain would be the biggest disaster to befall the red half of Merseyside this year.

Losing Van Dijk would be the biggest disaster for Sloto

Liverpool have signed Southampton’s exciting centre-back for world record (for a defender) fee of £75m in January 2018 and it was worth every penny.

In truth, Liverpool could have paid twice that figure and looked back on the deal with nothing but satisfaction: Van Dijk transformed Klopp’s back line and became the pillar of strength Liverpool needed to go on and win almost every major honor available, including the Premier League and Champions League.

He is 33 years old, but he is still at the head of the elite defensive table of football. Reporter Lewis Steele summed it up a few days ago, saying:

Van Dijk has really been peerless this season, keeping eight clean sheets in 18 Premier League games. Looking at his metrics against his defensive partners, his impact is only further emphasized.

It is perhaps an understated triumph that the 6ft 5 Dutchman maintains such a powerful level despite the constant turnovers that have plagued Liverpool’s defensive ranks for years. Without Van Dijk, the Redmen wouldn’t have reached half the level.

Is it that important to keep Van Dijk’s signature? More important than that of Alexander-Arnold? These are pertinent questions as we enter a time of sinkholes in the contracting landscape. Liverpool need to do this, lest a noticeable decline covers Anfield like a dark blanket in the coming years.

Slott was admirably cool in the face of relentless questions about his casual superstars. Look ahead, this outstanding Liverpool team has a lot of success in winning the title.

It is clear that this current noise, which changes from a dull background hum to a blaring noise, cannot continue. Resolutions must happen, whatever they may be.

Let’s hope Liverpool can convince Alexander-Arnold to continue his journey with his boyhood club, but don’t forget, Van Dijk needs to be tied down too – achieving this would be the biggest triumph FSG could achieve.