Alan Shearer has suggested that Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold might struggle to adapt once Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool.
Liverpool’s players are preparing for life after Klopp, with the German manager stepping down as manager at the end of the season. His departure will bring to an end an eight-and-a-half-year stint in charge, which has brought a Premier League title, the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Arne Slot is being lined up as Klopp’s replacement but the dramatic fashion in which Liverpool’s season has fallen apart in recent weeks has presented uncertainty about the way forward. The Reds have won just two of their last seven matches to be knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta and fall behind Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race.
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With the end of an era fast approaching as they enter the final three matches of the season, Shearer is concerned about the futures of three of Liverpool’s key players, who have only ever played under Klopp at the club. “Salah, who was courted doggedly by Al Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club, last summer, is about to enter the final year of his contract,” he wrote for The Athletic.
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“The same applies to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk and all three have been absolutely key, iconic, fantastic players under Klopp. I’m not privy to where negotiations stand, but it’s a dangerous position for Liverpool to be in. Those players will want to plan. They have to look after themselves.
“Now put yourself back in their dressing room and look around again: how confident do you feel? How certain? At this level – the very, very peak – if you’re 0.1 per cent off it, physically or mentally, it’ll make a difference, particularly when you’re going for a title against relentless teams like Manchester City and Arsenal. You can’t afford any mistakes, any chinks in your armour."
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah will have to adapt this summer (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)Putting himself in the players’ shoes, Shearer added: “In your quiet moments, you have the same doubts as anybody else. Who will the next manager be? Will Arne Slot fancy me? Am I still good enough? What happens next?”
Salah fell out with Klopp in a very public manner last weekend, arguing with his manager on the touchline before coming on during the 2-2 draw at West Ham. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s match against Tottenham, Klopp played down the confrontation and insisted it is now water under the bridge.
He also refused to be drawn on a question about Salah’s future at the club, replying: "It's not my subject anymore. I don't think I should speak about it, others will decide that, especially Mo. Those decisions will be made by other people."
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