Liverpool FC is likely aware of the risks of losing key players like Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold for free when their contracts expire. However, their decisions may depend on several strategic considerations:
1. Contract Negotiations: Liverpool may still be in active negotiations and could eventually reach agreements to extend their contracts. For players like Van Dijk, reports suggest progress toward a renewal.
2. Balancing Finances: Offering high wages or long-term contracts to aging or injury-prone players can pose financial risks. For example, Salah is 32 years old, and Van Dijk is 33. The club may hesitate to commit to long contracts for players nearing the latter stages of their careers.
3. Player Preferences: If the players are seeking new challenges or higher wages, the club might find it difficult to match those demands, especially if they believe it’s not aligned with their long-term strategy.
4. Strategic Replacement Planning: Liverpool might already be planning to invest in younger talent who can grow into leadership roles, reducing reliance on aging stars.
5. Transfer Market Dynamics: While losing players for free is financially undesirable, clubs sometimes take this risk in hopes of achieving their short-term goals (e.g., winning trophies) before the players leave.
If the club can’t reach agreements before the summer transfer window, they might consider selling the players to recover some value. However, Liverpool could also choose to prioritize their on-field contributions for the remaining contract period, even at the cost of losing them for free later.