Liverpool faces a potential “end of an era” Van Dijk and Salah May Follow Klopp
Aoba Tanaka
2 min read
Liverpool faces a potential “end of an era” this summer as uncertainties surround the futures of star players Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, following the announcement of manager Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the season.
Captain Virgil van Dijk expressed uncertainty about his role in the upcoming era, and prolific forward Mohamed Salah has been linked with a move away from the club. The impending departures, coupled with Klopp’s exit, have sparked discussions about significant changes within the Liverpool squad.
Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, shared insights, saying, “It may feel for some like Van Dijk that they may want to move on. Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Salah look like they might move on. It is possibly the end of an era, not just for Klopp but for some of the players.”
Liverpool currently finds themselves in contention for four trophies, leading the Premier League, facing Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, and still alive in the FA Cup and Europa League. The potential departure of key figures adds an element of uncertainty to the team’s prospects.
The experienced duo of Salah (31) and Van Dijk (32) played pivotal roles in Liverpool’s recent successes, including winning the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup under Klopp’s tenure. Salah, in particular, has scored an impressive 204 goals in 332 games for the club.
With the duo’s contracts set to expire at the end of next season and no clarity on their future plans, speculation is rife about their potential exit at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Sutton remarked, “If they lose Salah and Van Dijk, they would be two huge players to walk away from Liverpool.” The departure of such key figures would undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for Liverpool in rebuilding and maintaining their competitive edge.
As Klopp prepares to exit after nine years at the helm, Liverpool faces the daunting task of finding a suitable successor. Xabi Alonso emerges as the odds-on favorite, given his current success as Bayer Leverkusen’s manager. However, questions linger about Alonso’s relative inexperience and ability to handle the immense expectations at Liverpool.
Former Liverpool player and current Leicester City defender Conor Coady highlighted the need for Liverpool to decide on their style of play and philosophy moving forward. Coady stated, “It’s interesting to see how they move forward. Do they bring in a manager like that? Do they keep that style of play? It’s whether they want to go rebuilding or go down the same route again.”
With Klopp’s exit triggering changes in the coaching staff, including assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, elite development coach Vitor Matos, and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, Liverpool faces a significant rebuilding job ahead.
The impending summer holds critical decisions for Liverpool, as they navigate the post-Klopp era and seek to redefine their future in English and European football.
