'A little bit toxic': Paul Merson suggests something 'nervy' is brewing behind the scenes at Liverpool

Today at 09:00 AM

Liverpool are absolutely flying under Arne Slot and have won 15 of their 17 games across all competitions this season.

The Reds travel to St. Mary’s to take on Southampton this weekend, after which they welcome Real Madrid and Manchester City at Anfield in what could potentially be a season-defining run.

Things are looking good on the pitch for Liverpool as their new manager has adapted seamlessly to his surroundings after Jurgen Klopp’s arrival.

However, Paul Merson feels the Reds have a situation brewing behind the scenes that could emerge as a massive issue in the coming weeks.

Paul Merson says Liverpool trio’s uncertain futures could cause unrest

The likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have entered the last few months of their current contracts and could leave for free at the end of the season.

Salah has keen admirers in the Saudi Pro League and Alexander-Arnold is wanted by Real Madrid, so the Reds are genuinely running out of time to tie them down to new deals.

Merson feels at least one of the trio will sign a pre-contract with another club in January, adding that something is brewing privately at Liverpool.

“The contract situation at Liverpool is getting a bit nervy, isn’t it?” wrote Merson in his column for Sportskeeda.

“I get this feeling that one of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah will sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January.

“We might not see it in public, but they might just do it. If you’ve got just six months left on your contract and you get injured, what happens then? Better safe than sorry.

“I’m not sure if Van Dijk will do it, but one of the other two might. I think it could be Alexander-Arnold, especially with talk about Real Madrid as well.”

Liverpool told situation could turn ‘toxic’ in coming weeks

Liverpool are currently at the top of the Premier League and have lost just once in all competitions this season, so the trio’s contract standoff hasn’t affected them yet.

However, Merson feels things could quickly go south if they lose a couple of games as he fired a massive warning to the Reds ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

Merson added: “Everything is perfect at Liverpool now, so no one is talking about this situation. But if they start losing games, it could get a little bit toxic with fans calling them out.

“I might be wrong, but the fans will be angry, especially with someone homegrown like Alexander-Arnold if he doesn’t sign and they start losing. When you think of it, it’s actually quite unbelievable.

“They are probably the first three names on the team sheet at Liverpool and yet they are out of contract in six months!”

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