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Paul Merson says there’s something’s happening at Liverpool that he finds so ‘strange’

Charles Jones

Fri 13 December 2024 11:45, UK

Liverpool couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Arne Slot era at Anfield.

The Reds are flying high at the top of the Premier League and the Champions League, and they’ve been almost perfect this season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	14	11	2	1	29	11	18	35

However, there are still some issues bubbling away behind the scenes, namely the contract status of their three key players – Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.

Arne Slot isn’t worried about this situation, but it’s remiss to pretend this isn’t a pressing issue.

Mohamed Salah’s contract talks are going well, while Liverpool are confident that Van Dijk will sign a new deal.

However, there hasn’t been as much concrete news on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future, and writing in his column on , Paul Merson has shared his verdict on this situation.

• READ MORE: Cody Gakpo names the player at Liverpool who’s actually stronger than Virgil van Dijk

Paul Merson baffled by Trent Alexander-Arnold situation

Merson shared his verdict on these contract situations at Liverpool.

The pundit says that he finds it strange that Alexander-Arnold is in this situation where he would get a lot of stick from fans if he decided to leave, while Van Dijk and Salah aren’t quite in the same boat.

Indeed, Merson says it’s weird how Alexander-Arnold is under more pressure than his teammates.

“If Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah end up accepting Liverpool’s rumoured contract proposals, that’s £200 million-worth players extending. It’ll give them a massive lift, but there will be more pressure on local boy Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Merson said.

“I find it strange because Alexander-Arnold has cost Liverpool no money and whatever they make out of his sale would be a huge bonus. Meanwhile, if Salah and Van Dijk were to leave for free, that would be two players they heavily invested in. Yet, it would still be Alexander-Arnold getting all the stick from the fans!”

Why Trent Alexander-Arnold is under more pressure to stay at Liverpool

Merson says that it’s strange that Alexander-Arnold is likely to get more stick if he leaves Liverpool, but it does make a lot of sense.

Indeed, not only is Alexander-Arnold a local lad who grew up supporting Liverpool, he’s younger than both Van Dijk and Salah, so, in theory, he has more to give, and he’s, until now, a one-club man.

It always hurts to see a player who is so closely linked to your club on a personal level leave.

Yes, Salah and Van Dijk are Liverpool legends, but they weren’t born to play for Liverpool in the way Alexander-Arnold was.

Alexander-Arnold was born a Liverpool supporter, he is a scouser and there’s an immense feeling of community and loyalty around this football club.

There’s a reason Michael Owen’s Liverpool exit was so controversial in 2004, and Alexander-Arnold is very much in the same boat now.

No matter what he does, it will be very difficult for Alexander-Arnold to have a clean break from Liverpool.