'He's the best': Paul Merson says £180,000-a-week Liverpool player's passing is simply 'unbelievable'

09/13/2024 04:15 AM

Liverpool have been one of the most in-form teams in world football at the start of the new season and have already made a massive impression under Arne Slot.

The Dutchman is looking to build on Jurgen Klopp’s legacy at the club and has notched up three wins from as many games in the Premier League.

Liverpool have had standout players across the pitch under Slot, with Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch endearing themselves to the fans with their recent displays.

Another player who has been incredible is Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the 25-year-old returning to Liverpool on the back of successive Man of the Match displays for England.

And Paul Merson believes the gifted Scouser is the best passer in the Premier League and also made an interesting claim on his contract situation.

Paul Merson showers high praise on Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold’s future has been the talk of the town, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk find themselves in similar boats, leaving the Liverpool hierarchy with important decisions to make in the coming months.

While Merson admitted that Alexander-Arnold is the best passer in the league, he feels Salah and Van Dijk are more important as they constitute the spine of the current Liverpool team.

“There’s a lot of talk about the contract situation of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold at Anfield,” Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda.

“I’m a bit surprised Liverpool have allowed their contracts to run down this far. But in a certain way, I can also understand their stance.

“If Liverpool don’t win the league this season with these players, they won’t win it next year either. Sooner or later, you’ll be forced to change something.

“All three of them might still end up staying if Liverpool win trophies, but if you’re a Liverpool fan don’t overthink it and just enjoy these three footballers because they are unbelievable. I wouldn’t let any of them go.

“Alexander-Arnold is the best passer in the league, but if you need to win big you need goals and a spine, that’s what makes Salah and Van Dijk important.”

The 25-year-old currently earns £180,000-per-week according to Spotrac and could be set for a significant pay raise if he signs a new deal.

Liverpool must do everything it takes to renew Alexander-Arnold’s contract

The English media delivered a glowing verdict on Alexander-Arnold’s performance against Finland as ran the show for the Three Lions from right-back.

The 25-year-old has started the new season in fine form for club and country and could be key to Liverpool’s ambitions under Slot.

However, with his deal set to expire next summer, the Reds run the risk of losing one of their biggest assets for nothing.

TBR Football revealed exclusively that Liverpool remain confident of tying Alexander-Arnold down to a new deal, which would come as a massive boost to the new manager.

With Salah and Van Dijk also edging closer to leaving for free, it remains to be seen what Liverpool do in the coming months.

One thing is for sure – they have to react quickly and thrash out terms with the trio before the turn of the year as they would be free to negotiate deals with other clubs from January 2025.