Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that the Liverpool squad has playfully teased Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold about their contract situations, while also stressing that the team wants all three to sign new deals at Anfield.
As of January 1, Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold will be free to negotiate with clubs outside of England regarding potential moves on a free transfer next summer.
This has led to ongoing speculation about their futures.
Mac Allister acknowledged that the rumors have reached the dressing room at Anfield.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker, the 2022 World Cup winner explained that while the situation has provided some light-hearted moments behind the scenes, the rest of the squad hopes the influential trio will stay and commit to new long-term contracts with the club.
“Of course there are a lot of jokes, let’s say but at the end it is a personal thing and we are going to respect the club and them in whatever decision they make,” Mac Allister said.
“Of course, we want them to stay with us but as I say, it is a personal decision and I would never get (involved) there.
“It is early but we have a nice [points] difference now. So it is possible [to win the league], of course, we are there, we are candidates, let’s say but it is too early. There are many, many games to come. We have the Champions League as well, we need to keep getting into Arne’s ideas but we are in a good way.”
“[Van Dijk] speaks a lot, he speaks a lot, but that is good because you need players like that. He leads by example, he leads a lot with Mo, Robbo (Andy Robertson), Alisson (Becker), we have experienced players who help us a lot to be better players and they are so important.
“For example, the game against Southampton, we were struggling a lot and that is the moment when you need players to step up and that was the meeting at half-time where the manager said: ‘Now I want to see the players to step up’.
“And that is what happened with Virgil – and Salah played an amazing second half and that is why you need them. They are good people who can help you if you need it and on the pitch they do the work.
“First thing (about Salah) is consistency is key and he has shown it, when you have him you know that he is going to get the goals and the assists that you need, so that is why he is so important and then off the pitch he asks a lot from himself and his team-mates.
“Since I arrived at Liverpool, I have changed my routine a little bit and I didn’t used to go to the gym as much as now and that is because of him. He tells you that you need to be professional and need to go to the gym and do this type of thing, so it’s a pleasure to work with him and he really helps the players around.
“Everyone can see the quality of Trent (Alexander-Arnold), he is amazing on the ball and I know there is a lot of talk about his defensive side, but I think he is amazing as well as a defender.”
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