Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk Extend Liverpool Contracts Amid New Era at Anfield

📍 Liverpool, England — April 18, 2025

Liverpool received a massive boost last Friday as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk officially signed new two-year contract extensions, signaling stability during a crucial period of transition at Anfield.

Salah, 32, continues to perform at an elite level, recently setting the record for most goal involvements (45) in a 38-game Premier League season. Meanwhile, Van Dijk, 33, reaffirmed his commitment to the club amid external interest, telling Liverpool’s official website, “It was always Liverpool. That was always the plan.”

The new deals come as Liverpool closes in on a second Premier League title since 1990, needing just six more points to secure the crown. However, uncertainty lingers over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Real Madrid confident in their pursuit of the England international this summer.

Behind the Scenes: How Contract Talks Unfolded

The futures of Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold dominated Liverpool’s internal discussions throughout the 2024–25 campaign. Traditionally proactive in securing extensions with two years remaining on contracts, Liverpool saw their timeline disrupted by front office upheaval in 2023 and the announcement of Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure in January 2024.

Under new sporting director Richard Hughes, Liverpool prioritized finishing their managerial search before locking in new contracts. Once Arne Slot was secured, focus shifted to renewals.

Negotiations with Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, proceeded quietly but steadily. Contrary to media reports, Salah did not agree to a pay cut. Sources confirm his new contract will cost Liverpool between £17 million and £20 million per season.

Van Dijk’s renewal mirrored Salah’s — his representatives at ROOF agency emphasized his preference to stay at Liverpool, with the defender seeing Anfield as the ideal place to extend his legacy.

Salah and Van Dijk: Pillars of a Golden Era

Both players arrived at Liverpool with questions surrounding their potential impact at the elite level but went on to become central figures in one of the club’s most successful periods.

• Mohamed Salah joined from Roma in 2017 for £36.9 million and immediately shattered expectations, scoring 44 goals in his debut season. He has since become one of Liverpool’s all-time leading scorers.

• Virgil van Dijk arrived from Southampton in January 2018 for a then-world record £75 million fee for a defender. His influence transformed Liverpool’s defense, culminating in Premier League and Champions League titles.

Both players have started all 32 Premier League matches this season, demonstrating their enduring value even as they enter the twilight years of their careers.

Challenges Ahead: Alexander-Arnold and Squad Evolution

While retaining Salah and Van Dijk marks a significant achievement, Liverpool faces a major test with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Sources suggest Real Madrid have been engaged with the right-back’s camp since January and are increasingly optimistic about signing him on a free transfer.

Nevertheless, Liverpool’s leadership believes they have built a strong foundation for the future. Emerging talents like Conor Bradley are positioned to step up if necessary, and the club expects a busy summer transfer window under Slot’s direction.

The extensions of Salah and Van Dijk signal Liverpool’s determination to remain at the summit of English and European football as they navigate the post-Klopp era.