Liverpool’s reliance on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah goes to be more and more beneath the microscope the longer they continue to be unsigned, having been key once more this season.
The Reds discover themselves solely 16 factors away from one other Premier League title however the three gamers with out a contract for subsequent season proceed to solid a shadow over the season.
They have been key pillars beneath Jurgen Klopp and stay that approach in Arne Slot‘s debut season, with the trio within the prime six for probably the most minutes performed throughout all competitions.
• READ: Carragher has new Salah contract fear – “An indication of issues to return?”
After greater than eight years of sharing a pitch, they’ve what some could describe as a telepathic reference to each other, figuring out the place one another will probably be and when to obtain the ball.
Past that, although, they’re essential items of the puzzle in terms of Liverpool progressing the ball up the pitch, as a graphic from StatsBomb exemplifies – which we’ve remoted under:
The graphic appears to be like at Liverpool’s mostly performed passes in open play buildup all through the Premier League season, and it reveals an apparent nod to Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah.
The ball is extra readily progressed up the pitch through the suitable flank (yellow, Alexander-Arnold) and creates alternatives in assault on the suitable wing (purple, Salah).
Van Dijk and Slot’s different central gamers all present a pattern of pushing the ball to the suitable, which is under no circumstances a shock contemplating Salah’s efficiency – he has 27 objectives and 17 assists within the league.
Which contract is the precedence for Liverpool to kind?
Mo Salah
Virgil van Dijk
Trent Alexander-Arnold
It’s apparent then why Liverpool struggled within the Carabao Cup ultimate towards Newcastle as Jarell Quansah doesn’t provide the identical development qualities as Alexander-Arnold, few do.
Salah ended Sunday’s recreation with simply 23 touches and just one within the opposition field, a direct results of being remoted because the passing lanes Alexander-Arnold can determine couldn’t be taken benefit of.
The graphic reveals the reliance on three key gamers who could or will not be right here subsequent season, but additionally how Slot can see it evolve with transfers and time on the coaching pitch in pre-season.
