Chris Sutton thinks he’s spotted a sign that one key Liverpool star could end up leaving the club on a free transfer.
Liverpool are set to embark on a new era under Arne Slot after Jurgen Klopp’s final game at Anfield on Sunday.
The German boss signed off with a 2-0 victory over Wolves and was spotted chanting his successor’s name during his farewell speech.
Slot will have big shoes to fill in Merseyside and will be aiming to stamp his mark on this current Liverpool squad. But the Dutchman also faces a task in convincing some key players that their long-term futures lie at Anfield.
Indeed, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s contracts are all set to expire next summer.
And Chris Sutton has suggested that he’s seen a sign that one could end up heading out the door on a free transfer.
READ MORE: Club’s owners are preparing a ‘monster contract’ offer to sign £66m Liverpool player
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty ImagesSutton labels Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation ‘odd’
Alexander-Arnold’s contract is set to run until June 2025 and Real Madrid are monitoring the full-back’s situation.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Sutton raised concerns about the Englishman’s contract.
He said: “Salah, I think, he has got a year left, Van Dijk has got a year left, and the odd one really is Trent only has a year left, which, I might be miles out here, but when players let their contract run down like that, that’s pretty telling, isn’t it?
“I suspect that Liverpool wouldn’t want him to leave on a free however much money they have. Trent’s entitled to do what he likes, but I think there may be something in that.”
READ MORE: Arne Slot thinks Liverpool player who didn’t start Klopp’s final game has extraordinary attributes
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty ImagesLiverpool ready to make Trent their highest-paid player
Despite concerns over Trent’s contract situation, it would appear that Liverpool are less worried about their academy product.
According to HITC Football’s Graeme Bailey, the Reds are ready to make him their highest-paid player and view him as the club’s long-term captain.
There are plans to sit down with the full-back and discuss fresh terms now the season is done and dusted.