“The Longer It Goes On…” – Paul Gorst On ‘Concerning’ Liverpool Contract Situation | OneFootball

Arne Slot was giving nothing away throughout his press conference ahead of today’s clash with Brighton. He offered an injury update on the fitness of players such as Alisson, Jota and Federico Chiesa, but was unable to be more specific on a possible return date for the trio.

Slot was similarly vague when the familiar subject of contracts was brought up, with Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor pressing him following Virgil van Dijk’s admission that talks had begun between his representatives and the club over a possible new deal. The head coach told the assorted journalists that he does not speak about contracts with his captain and that he was not involved in the negotiations.

There has also been no movement on a renewal for Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the vice-captain recently stating his ambition to be the first right-back to win the Ballon d’Or.

On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked the Liverpool Echo’s LFC correspondent Paul Gorst for his thoughts on contract renewals.

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Paul said:

[On Virgil]

“It’s a public declaration that talks are underway with his representatives. I think he got asked that, actually, after the Arsenal game as well.

“I think the reporter said, ‘Look, he can’t be answering this question every week,’ and I think he just said, ‘We’ll see what happens at the end of the season.’

“Whether that was a Freudian slip or not and they are waiting to table an offer at the end of the season, I don’t know, but it was interesting to hear publicly, at least from Van Dijk, that talks are at least officially underway.”

[On Trent]

“The longer it goes on, the more fans have a right to be concerned, I think.

“I’ve said for a while now I can see a world in where he goes, and he goes to Real Madrid, and all these debates over his defending just almost falls silent overnight.

“We’ll wait and see on this one. I think if supporters are ranking them in terms of concern, quite comfortable with it, I think this is the one that they might be most concerned about.

“The longer it goes on, the more they’ve got a right to feel that way.”

REDMEN REACTS

It was déjà vu all over again with regard to the contract situation of Liverpool’s three star men. Arne Slot continues to refuse to be drawn, insisting that the negotiations are above his pay grade. That may well be the case, but January is fast approaching and the club will be at the mercy of their European rivals, who will be free to offer terms to the three and potentially gazump any offer made by FSG. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ‘Ballon D’or’ interview appears ominous given the lack of updates on LFC’s attempts to convince the vice-captain to stay. His personal ambition is laudable, and he is certainly a great talent, but his individualism in saying he would prefer to win the Ballon d’Or over the World Cup hints at a slight clash with the collective ethos instilled by Bill Shankly into Liverpool Football Club. As 15 times European Cup winners, Real Madrid would appear to be the ideal destination for a man determined to land the biggest individual prize in football – although famously not this week!