In an ideal world for Liverpool Football Club and its supporters, the talented three of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk would sign new contracts before the turn of the year. Even if they wait until the conclusion of their present contracts, it would undoubtedly be the perfect case if all three opt to stay at Anfield.

Salah is in great form, but he is always in good condition. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s skill set is still expanding, and Virgil van Dijk leads a Premier League defence that has conceded the fewest goals.

If all three are available for free transfers next summer, there will be plenty of suitors for each of them. It’s no surprise that the most prevalent reaction to this contract issue is to wonder how Liverpool’s executives allowed it to happen, and to assume that the players have all of the aces in the contract game.

But this is not the case; Liverpool, the club, has plenty of aces. Let us consider each instance individually.

Few people, even inside Liverpool’s physical and emotional confines, would criticize Alexander-Arnold for accepting a chance to play for Real Madrid if the opportunity arose. However, if Alexander-Arnold examines the consequences from a couple of defeats at the Bernabeu to Barcelona and AC Milan, as well as the criticism directed at Carlo Ancelotti and Jude Bellingham, he will notice a more volatile atmosphere than the one he has enjoyed for so long.

Van Dijk will be 34 years old at the start of next season, but it appears that he still has a few years at the top level. Finishing his playing career at Anfield would be an excellent preparation for a transition into coaching. He’s got Future Liverpool Manager written all over him.