Van Dijk and Salah’s Future at Liverpool: Insights and Speculations

omidbasir- Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have seemingly quelled exit rumors by agreeing to contract extensions that will keep them at Liverpool until the summer of 2027.

However, Salah recently expressed his frustrations regarding limited playing time, leading to tension within the club. In December 2025, the 33-year-old forward accused Liverpool of undermining him during a challenging phase of their Premier League title defense.

While speculation regarding Salah’s possible departure intensified, it subsided during his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. Upon his return, he regained prominence in the team, notably scoring in an FA Cup victory over Brighton.

Reports suggest that lucrative offers from Middle Eastern clubs and Major League Soccer (MLS) teams have started to surface, potentially enticing Salah. Despite this, Van Dijk hopes that Salah, a fellow Premier League and Champions League champion, will resist such advances.

When questioned about Salah’s future, Van Dijk stated, “The situation is what it is. Our primary focus is on making this season successful, and we will see what unfolds afterward. I always want Mo to stay because he is a close friend. We have shared many highs and lows over the years, and like me, he has one more year on his contract, so we will see.”

Van Dijk emphasized Salah’s importance to the team, noting his recent assist and record-breaking achievements. He remarked, “Mo is still vital for us. He brings more to the team than just goals. Although he faces criticism for not scoring as often, he must remain composed and continue to contribute in every possible way. He is essential both on and off the pitch.”

While Liverpool aims to retain Salah and Van Dijk for at least another 18 months, former Reds striker Stan Collymore has suggested that one or both may leave in the summer. He stated, “Salah will likely remain for the rest of the season, but for Liverpool to evolve under new management, one or both may depart this summer. Although they signed longer contracts, I believe this was to assess the integration of new players like [Hugo] Ekitike and Isak. If the club intends to prioritize these new talents, then established players must exit.”

Collymore also pointed out that Salah’s frustration may stem from the positive attention new signings have received, implying he feels somewhat disrespected.

As for Van Dijk, he has not indicated any desire to leave, especially as he approaches his 35th birthday. Nevertheless, Liverpool is actively seeking long-term successors for the Dutch defender, recently securing a £60 million ($82 million) deal for Jeremy Jacquet.

Currently, Salah has not publicly addressed his future, leaving Liverpool supporters anxious. The record-breaking ‘Egyptian King’ remains focused on concluding the 2025-26 season positively, as Liverpool pursues FA Cup and Champions League success alongside a top-four league finish.