Liverpool Legends Weigh In On Van Dijk And Salah Amid Exit Rumours

Liverpool legend Gary McAllister finds it hard to imagine the Reds without their captain, Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender has been crucial since joining from Southampton in January 2018, making 197 Premier League appearances. Only Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, and Alisson have played more league matches for Liverpool since his debut.

Van Dijk has won numerous trophies with Liverpool, including the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup. He became captain after Jordan Henderson left last year. However, he is now in the final year of his four-year contract signed in 2021. When Jurgen Klopp announced his departure earlier this year, Van Dijk admitted uncertainty about his future at the club.

McAllister believes Van Dijk will stay at Anfield. He told Stats Perform: "He's such a pivotal player and he's a fantastic leader; he's the captain of the club. I can't visualise Liverpool without Virgil van Dijk. So my feeling and the feeling of most of the people in and around the club is that we need him to stay."

Van Dijk isn't the only key player with an uncertain future. Mohamed Salah is also out of contract at the end of the season and has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League. Despite scoring 18 Premier League goals in 2023-24—his least prolific season at Liverpool—McAllister insists Salah has nothing to prove.

"Mo has been simply sensational right from the day he arrived," McAllister said. "His goal stats, his assist stats, every stat that you can throw in, all the records that he's broken—he's just got to do what he's done every year that he's been here. I'm sure the new manager will be leaning on him."

Gakpo's Potential Under New Management

Salah will look for more support from Cody Gakpo in the upcoming season. Gakpo shared the Golden Boot at Euro 2024 with three goals but had a frustrating 2023-24 campaign with only eight goals. McAllister hopes that Arne Slot's appointment as manager will benefit Gakpo.

"That'll help, the fact that both manager and Gakpo are Dutchmen," McAllister noted. "It was his first full season at the club; I thought he had some good games and bad games, so his form was a little bit up and down."

McAllister added: "During the Euros, Gakpo was one of the Netherlands' best players and he got his goals as well. He'll gain from that experience; fans will feel like they've got a new signing."

The upcoming season holds significant potential for Liverpool with key players like Van Dijk and Salah expected to play vital roles under new management. The team’s performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.