Liverpool’s Contract Conundrum: Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Salah, and Now Diaz
As Liverpool celebrated a thrilling win over Bayer Leverkusen, highlighted by a stunning hat-trick from Luis Diaz, a familiar concern emerged within the walls of Anfield. The club faces a unique contract puzzle as it approaches a potentially transformative period. With Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mo Salah nearing contract expirations, Liverpool’s long-term strategy—and the likelihood of a looming rebuild—have become front and centre. Now, with Diaz’s rise in prominence under manager Arne Slot, there’s a renewed urgency to secure the Colombian’s future as well.
Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold: What’s Next?
Liverpool’s iconic trio—Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—are entering a pivotal period where other clubs can legally begin negotiations with them in just a matter of weeks. Despite these pressures, Liverpool’s calm exterior suggests a calculated approach, likely weighing various scenarios, including the “worst-case” options. Reports point to Ibrahima Konate as a potential successor for Van Dijk, with Conor Bradley seen as a promising talent for right-back duties, though not yet on par with Alexander-Arnold’s dynamic contributions.
In an ideal scenario, Liverpool would want to extend the contracts of all three stars, who remain vital to the squad. However, as negotiations continue, fans are faced with the possibility of Anfield without some of its most influential figures—a prospect that feels almost unthinkable. Yet, as Liverpool navigates this challenging landscape, the club’s emerging talents could offer a fresh vision for the future.
Luis Diaz: A New Star in Liverpool’s Attack
Since joining Liverpool, Diaz has continued to evolve, and under Arne Slot’s guidance, he’s come into his own, becoming one of Liverpool’s most reliable and versatile attackers. His remarkable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen underscored his potential and adaptability—Slot moved him into a central attacking role, and Diaz rose to the occasion with ease. This flexibility has given Slot more options in the attack, particularly when paired with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, and has set Diaz up as a key player for Liverpool’s future.
Yet with this growth come new questions about his long-term future at the club. Despite his critical role, Diaz’s current contract doesn’t reflect his rising influence on the pitch, and with his contract winding down to two years at the end of the season, other clubs are likely to come calling. To secure Diaz’s talent, Liverpool will likely need to offer a new deal that acknowledges his contributions and future potential within the squad.
Slot’s Tactical Revolution and Liverpool’s Future
Slot’s strategic experiments with Diaz’s positioning have redefined the team’s attacking flexibility. His willingness to adapt Diaz from winger to centre-forward indicates that Slot is building a tactical plan fit for a new era. Following his hat-trick, Slot remarked on Diaz’s unexpected success as a central figure, saying, “I played him there for a reason… but that he played so well was even a surprise for me.” Slot’s evolving tactics could serve as a blueprint for Liverpool’s approach in the seasons to come, especially as the club prepares for a future potentially without Salah, Van Dijk, or Alexander-Arnold.
While Liverpool has “always played one of [Nunez or Jota] when they were available,” Diaz’s performance against Leverkusen may have expanded Slot’s tactical repertoire, signalling a shift in the team’s offensive configuration. This adaptation suggests that Slot’s approach emphasizes versatile players who can thrive in multiple roles, an invaluable trait as Liverpool looks to reconfigure the squad for the coming years.
