Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed his desire for Mohamed Salah to remain at the club, following the forward’s standout display in a 3-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton. The Egyptian netted once and set up another as the Reds advanced to the fifth round of the competition.
Salah, 33, has been central to Liverpool’s recent resurgence. After returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January, he has started every match, registering two goals and four assists. His penalty against Brighton marked his seventh goal of the campaign, although prior to that he had found the net only once in 12 outings.
Contract uncertainty and transfer interest
Despite his continued influence, questions remain over Salah’s long-term future. In December, he stated that he had been “thrown under the bus” and that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had deteriorated during a challenging spell for the team.
His current contract runs until 2027, but a potential summer departure has not been ruled out after nine years at Anfield. Al-Ittihad attempted to secure his signature in 2023, and the Saudi Pro League is expected to remain attentive should he become available.
Van Dijk, who recently signed a two-year extension shortly after Salah agreed fresh terms in April, acknowledged the uncertainty. Both players have one year remaining on their respective deals beyond this season.
Leadership and lasting impact
Van Dijk emphasised Salah’s importance beyond his goal tally, highlighting his presence and leadership within the squad. He noted that the forward’s standards are so high that scrutiny increases whenever his scoring rate dips.
The Dutch defender also pointed to Salah’s continued record-breaking achievements. An assist against Sunderland brought him level with Steven Gerrard on 92 Premier League assists for Liverpool. Since joining the club in 2017, Salah has amassed 252 goals, including 34 last season as Liverpool secured the Premier League title under Slot.
Liverpool currently sit sixth in the league, having won 12 of their 26 matches. Van Dijk admitted both he and Salah have faced criticism this season but reiterated his hope that his teammate remains at the club, stressing their shared experiences over many years and the forward’s ongoing value to the team.