Liverpool's impressive unbeaten start to the season has been tempered by anxiety among fans, who are worried about the uncertain futures of the club's three best players: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk. With their contracts set to expire at the end of the season, the possibility of losing one or more of these star players is a daunting prospect.
Mohamed Salah's comments after the win against Manchester United added fuel to the fire, as he hinted that this season might be his last at the club.
"I had a good summer and had a long time to myself to try to stay positive because as you know it's my last year at the club," he said.
However, it's worth noting that Salah's words were open to interpretation, and he was simply acknowledging that he's in the final year of his current contract, rather than definitively stating his intention to leave.
Here’s what Mo Salah said on Sky Sports unprompted about it being his last year at Liverpool. Added later that no one at the club has spoken to him about a new contract. #LFC 🔴 pic.twitter.com/kz0haDNxsv
— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) September 1, 2024
However, Liverpool legend John Barnes offers a refreshing take on the situation, urging supporters to focus on the present rather than worrying about what's to come.
The Present is What Matters
Speaking to Ladbrokes, the official betting partner of Liverpool FC, Barnes said he's choosing to live in the moment.
I'm not concerned for what's going to happen next summer; I'm concerned for next weekend. And the weekend after that, and for this season as a whole. Why are we worrying about next summer, or next season? Next season, maybe we're already looking at players we're going to bring in; Marc Guehi, or whoever... players will always come to Liverpool.
I don't see why now - when things are going so well - we have to think about what might happen, and who might leave, next summer. If you think about next summer, you might end up mid-table this season, because you're worried, thinking too far ahead. No, I don't worry about who'll be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Football works in interesting ways, and things can change so quickly; the guys who often get mentioned, you know, maybe they're going to sign new contracts in the next few weeks... we really don't know. What I do know is that the harmony is good, the players are happy, and you can see they're all enjoying their football right now.
Barnes seemed comforted by the fact that Liverpool's players are in such good form and he noted that many of the great who left the club maintained the commitment to the last da.
All Liverpool fans should demand is that players at the club should give 100% commitment up until their last day. That's what Sadio Mane did, what's what Georginio Wijnaldum did, that's what Fabinho did... and that's all you can ask. You don't know what the future holds; I'll worry about players leaving when this season is over, not before then.
John Barnes exclusively told Ladbrokes, the official betting partner of Liverpool FC.
