Mohamed Salah leads a number of decisions that Liverpool has to make in 2024. But the Egyptian is far from the only player with some big calls lying ahead.
All across the Premier League, things are quiet on the transfer front at the moment. Spurs have brought in Timo Werner on loan and Radu Drăgușin from Genoa but elsewhere, everyone has kept their powder dry. Liverpool was expecting to be quiet but the rest is a slight surprise.
Even Chelsea has refrained from lavish spending and clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, with needs that could do with fixing, have decided not to dip into the market. Considering the extent of Premier League spending in the past, even in January, that is something of a change. Everton and now Nottingham Forest’s FFB/PSR troubles appear to have sent a message.
Liverpool has no such worries when it comes to spending but the Reds will continue to be careful with what outgoings they have. Signing someone now could have implications for future windows, as several Premier League clubs are finding right now.
Among the things that need to be thought out at Anfield over the next few months, though, are the futures of Joël Matip, Thiago Alcantara and, most importantly, Mohamed Salah. That will lead into what we can expect from the summer transfer market, when the level of expenditure will be fascinating considering the current climate.
Matt Addison (MA) and James Findlater (JF) have had their say on some of the big issues that need to be resolved. You can let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Mohamed Salah contract decision
MA: This is an easy one, isn’t it? Salah simply has to be tied down to an extension, and ideally before the summer before the Saudi Arabia gossip ramps up again. There is absolutely no reason for Salah to want to go there rather than stay at Anfield and even less of a reason for Liverpool to lose its star player while he remains in his peak years.
JF: We’re in full agreement here. As tempting as the inevitably huge fee would be for Salah from Saudi Arabia, he’s clearly far from done as a top Premier League player, and Liverpool should be looking to keep him. What’s more, recent developments with players seemingly already wanting out of the Saudi Pro League should hopefully sway Salah a bit more, and hopefully both parties will be on the same page.
Joël Matip and Thiago Alcântara calls
MA: These contract decisions are more tricky. I’d love both Matip and Thiago to remain at Liverpool but ultimately, that might not be the financially prudent thing to do. If Liverpool can find a top up-and-coming center-back in the transfer market and Thiago doesn’t play much before the end of the season because of injuries, then that will make things a lot easier. Saying goodbye won’t be easy but it might be economical and Liverpool has been ruthless in the past.
JF: I’d argue one of the decisions is much easier than the other. As much as I’d love to see Thiago back in this side, I just don’t see much of a future for him at the club. His injuries have been a huge source of frustration, and after last summer’s rebuild, I think it’s time to move on. Matip is a bit more of a complicated matter, given how well he was performing before he picked up his injury. Assuming a younger defender arrives at some point though, I suspect we’ll also wave goodbye to Matip.
MA: I think there is an argument to sign a player in every department this summer. A center-back will be important, another midfielder would be helpful, and another forward would further add to the depth in that area.
There is space for more bodies because next season’s Champions League brings more games and the wholesale changes that the Europa League afforded this year will no longer be there. Klopp can’t be left with too few options.
JF: A defender has to be the next priority, whether it’s this month or in the summer. And perhaps not just one, considering some of the injury problems Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez have had. Beyond that, I would still like to see a defensive midfielder brought in. As well as Alexis Mac Allister has done, I still want to see him playing in the more advanced role he was bought for, and it could prove to be important for the return to the Champions League, which should be given now.
