Jurgen Klopp’s exit marked a new era for Liverpool and a few of the club’s senior players may be tempted to start a new chapter of their own.
Arne Slot is the man tasked with following in Klopp’s footsteps at Anfield, and the Dutchman’s first opportunity to make his mark on the squad is in this summer’s transfer window.
But while Slot will be keen to bring in some new signings, a handful of Liverpool players who were at the core of Klopp’s success have been linked with a move away.
Whispers around Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future are growing louder with a move to join Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid being rumoured.
Two other Liverpool stars who could have one eye on the exit door are Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
Both players are heading into the twilight years of their career and former Chelsea and Aston Villa player Andy Townsend believes the duo will consider lucrative offers to leave this summer.
Salah and Van Dijk will consider ‘mind-boggling’ offers
Salah and Van Dijk are both at a crossroads in their careers – they have won all there is to win at Liverpool under Klopp and they now find themselves at the start of a new project under Slot.
But with both players nearing the end of their playing years, they have no time to waste if Slot gets off to a slow start.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Townsend said “At 33 [years old], you are now starting to see the finish line – you are aware of it far more. You have to make hay while the sun shines, particularly in the final few years.
“There are some incredible opportunities for the players today to really go and financially secure not only themselves but future generations.
“I could understand Virgil van Dijk, at his age, potentially starting to look at offers that could be mind-boggling for him financially.
“Mo Salah falls into that bracket as well.”
It would leave a gaping hole in Slot’s squad if both Salah and Van Dijk depart this summer, but Liverpool are running out of time if they do plan to cash in on the duo.
If Saudi offers are on the table then the cash injection would allow the Reds to reinvest in a younger squad for Slot to develop – but it is a huge risk.
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