Gary Neville has warned Liverpool they face a ‘£250m hole’ in their side if their trio of stars on expiring contracts don’t extend their deals.
On Tuesday, Mail Sport reported that Real Madrid remain confident of signing Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer – with sources in Spain suggesting the move is close.
With the defender out of contract in the summer – alongside Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah – he has continually been linked with the Spanish giants.
There have been no assurances from the club that any of the three players will have their deals extended – with Alexander-Arnold now more than likely to leave.
In response, former Man United star Neville has warned the Reds that, if all three of their stars leave for free, they will struggle to replace the £250m worth of talent.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, he said: ‘At the end of the season, it will leave Liverpool a huge hole if those three players [Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold] leave on a free.
Gary Neville has sent a warning to Liverpool amid the possible exit of three of their stars
Trent Alexander-Arnold is edging closer to a summer move to Real Madrid on a free transfer
Meanwhile, Mohammed Salah (left) and Virgil van Dijk’s (right) futures remain up in the air
‘They won’t have the money to replace them, and you could argue there is a quarter of a billion pounds in those three.
‘You’re talking about one of the best strikers in Europe, one of the best centre-halves in Europe and one of the best right-backs in Europe.
‘Even as good as Liverpool have been in recruitment, that is a quarter-billion-pound hole. They’ve been good at recruitment so they could replace them, but that is a hell of a thing for Arne Slot to have to deal with.’
Neville also took aim at Liverpool owners FSG for their handling of the situation. He said: ‘Liverpool are the only club that are allowed to run a player’s contract down to zero but are still doing okay. But he’s [Jamie Carragher] explained it, so we’re alright.
‘Three of the best players in the world have got contracts running down, but Liverpool have done a great job of managing that – I’m sorry, I can’t accept that.
‘With Trent, it’s unforgivable. Whether you’re going through a turbulence in the boardroom or not, if you’re the owner of the club and you look at Trent two years ago, even if you have disruption in your sporting department, you look at him and think, ‘We’ve got to sign him up, he’s one of our own.’
Alexander-Arnold’s potential departure is a significant blow to Liverpool as not only has he risen through the ranks, but he is viewed as one of the best full backs in the world.
After joining their academy at the age of six, the defender made his debut as an 18-year-old in an EFL Cup tie against Tottenham in 2018.
Arne Slot could face a summer of change at Liverpool amid the ongoing contract issues
Alexander-Arnold has won eight trophies at Liverpool, including the Champions League in 2019
Meanwhile, Mohammed Salah has been one of Europe’s best players in the campaign – scoring 32 goals and recording 22 assists across 43 appearances thus far.
Virgil van Dijk, too, has been in fine form in defence for the Reds this season and fans will be hoping that the veteran defender extends his current deal.
Should he not, the Dutchman could face a similar wrath from fans which Alexander-Arnold has endured in the last few days.
The news that Alexander-Arnold is close to a move to Madrid sent social media into a frenzy, with one fan taking their protestations to a whole new level.
A clip emerged on X which showed a supporter burning the back of an Alexander-Arnold shirt and proudly holding it up to the camera.
There was certainly no going back on the decision for the Reds supporter after the fire created a large hole in the back of the jersey.
Gary Neville was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
