12 Jun 2026 08:30:19
There are quite a few rumours coming out of Turkey that Galatasaray are in talks with Van Dijk's agent, and are hoping Liverpool might let him go for free as they did with Mo Salah. Coincidentally, Mo Salah is being heavily linked with Fenerbahce by the Turkish media.

Could be the end of an era but if I'm honest, getting damn near £700k a week off the wage bill does give us the opportunity to fully refresh the team and would equally allow Iraola to build the team in his image with something of a clean slate.

You do have to question whether Salah and Van Dijk have the physical attributes to play in a man-to-man team press, holding a very high line. Interesting to see how this develops, though I do personally think we should try and keep Virgil for one more season.

1.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 08:48:54
VVD has probably got another season in him at least, particularly with younger, faster players around him. To some extent, it depends if we bring a defensive midfielder in, as it isn't easy for any centre back to have midfield runners coming through at you as well as having a centre forward to pick up.

2.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 08:53:14
I think it's a bad idea, MK. Drains the squad even further of badly needed experience.

I still think Virj has one top season left in him. Let him go next season if it's for free anyway.

3.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 08:54:56
Not a chance VVD gets his contract mutually terminated as club captain, having not acted like the petulant child Mo did. You don't get rid of your club captain like that and a still top 5 CB in the world regardless of the wages.

Salah never really pressed all that much (not when you compare him to the midfield and Bobby+Mane). Typically, defenders don't press. The point of the press is to force the long ball down the line and the defenders to pick posession up/let it go out and take the throw in.



VVD can still get a turn of pace when needed and his positioning is very good for a modern day CB. He can probably go at a high level until he's 40. I'd happily keep VVD for another 2/3 years, but that probably means we won't get Jacquet or Leoni progressing through much, but would give us time to find another elite CB of which I don't think there are much in today's game.

{Ed001's Note - Salah pressed, he pressed up on the second centre-back alongside the forward under Klopp. It is an outright lie to say he never really pressed all that much. What he didn't do as much as the others is track back, but he damn sure pressed.}

4.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 09:16:29
It's your opinion, Phil, to call Mo a petulant child, but not everyone sees him as that, mate.
Yes, it wasn't perfect behaviour throughout last season, but I wouldn't call him a petulant child. He was clearly very frustrated with the lack of fitness levels and effort being put in by Slot and staff.

I'd also add that he was sticking up for us as fans, because he has a voice that can be reached. If he didn't speak out like he did, we might still have Slot in charge. Would you still want that!!

5.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 09:21:57
Think Virgil is set for the States when he finishes with us, and it makes sense as it suits him. Heard murmurings Beckham wants him at Inter Miami, so it wouldn't be a shock if that's where he goes.

Ken.

6.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 09:44:18
If we have another season of Virgil, I think Iraola will really struggle to implement his style on the team. You can't press when the defensive line keeps dropping and Virgil is terrified of people running in behind him.

Hopefully, it was down to fitness levels and Virgil can get his fitness up and be the guy that used to hold the halfway line and chase down attackers when they got in behind.

Another season of him dropping 15 yards every time we lose possession will mean another season just like last year.

7.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 09:48:58
I agree Ed001, Salah was never given the credit he deserved for his work rate. Mostly because Mane and Firmino were much more aggressive and effective at pressing/tracking back, but Salah did still work hard. He was just weak in the tackle but I'd argue you don't want your 40-60 goal/assist forward flying into 50/50 tackles because if they get injured, they're irreplaceable in their offensive output.

I agree with all the replies though, that we should keep Virgil for at least another year. I see the logic in saving on the wages for someone who is 35 next month and might struggle with a high line and press, but as many have touched on, his leadership skills are key and he is still one of the best players in both boxes, in world football.

Having said all this, what we want as fans might not matter because since I posted this many other news outlets have picked up the story and are even saying Virgil's given the move to Galatasaray the green light.

8.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 10:08:02
Calling Mo a petulant child for airing his views in public, what an utter b******* shout.

9.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 10:16:44
I always felt like it was a strategy, though, to allow one of the forwards to be in better finishing positions. Looking at his goal scoring record, I'm not sure why that would be questioned this much.

Comments about Salah not pressing seem wild to me, not that u cannot question it, but it wasn't Slot's style to be pressing, if at all, the whole team was passive.



How do you say Salah doesn't press, when nobody else pressed either throughout the season?

{Ed001's Note - it was a strategy, he would stay high to press the centre-backs to enable him to be in goal scoring positions. It did lead to the right back having to press up against the opposition full back though, which often could leave a gap in behind, but it was a risk worth taking Klopp felt, and was proven right.}

10.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 10:53:56
Vuskovic now available - I'd be inclined to get him in and let him fight it out with the others prior to Virgil leaving in a year's time. That way he gets a year training with the best and has a very good chance of being first choice.



Mo was made the scapegoat by Slot and those above. Slot's awful management was the issue, but there was an agenda to get him out.
They were no longer willing to build the side around him since it was holding up the next phase.

11.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:02:12
Virgil to Gala on a free? No chance. Salah never pressed? People's memories are very short.

12.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:11:30
Never mind saving on Virg's wages. An underwhelming season for Hil (he certainly wasn't alone) shouldn't make people forget. We are lowering the age of the squad big time. There will be very good, but not vastly experienced at the top level, players coming in; we need his experience big time.

I would be fearful of missing out on Champions League without Virg. I'd be pleasantly surprised if we win the league over the next couple of years while we build this new young team, but maybe a cup and actually staying at Europe's top table is essential.

13.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:26:33
If Slot had been sacked when he should have gone last November, Mo wouldn't have had to speak up.

14.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:29:55
Virg will stay for another season imo. The Turkey links I've seen for weeks, and it appears it's a bit like Madrid where presidents say we can bring in this person etc. Maybe he himself was frustrated with last season. Ali, Virg, and Gomez will stay then walk away for free in 2027.

15.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:51:12
Spot on, Scouse John.

16.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:54:37
Would love Vuskovic to join but think he will join Brighton.

17.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 12:02:30
I doubt VVD would want to leave this way. Played his last game? Think he'd want a send off and one he totally deserves.

18.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:01:22
"It is an outright lie to say he never really pressed all that much."

"Salah never really pressed all that much (not when you compare him to the midfield and Bobby+Mane"

I am sorry Ed but if we are now saying that Salah pressed as hard as Bobby and Mane we are in doolally tap territory in my eyes.

mane was typicall 16 or higher pressures per 90 avera, Bobby 20+ and Salah 13

Agree he certainly didn't get back. He never really closed down the wingers like mane and Bobby, which is where for me the vital pressure comes from rather than marking the man. we never saw that as much from Salah as the other 2.

{Ed001's Note - Bobby never closed down wingers either, he and Salah were earmarked to push onto the centre-backs. Is there any point in trying to educate you? You are clearly just bitter because he left, like a small child losing his favourite toy. This is just sour grapes. You were wrong, simple as.}

19.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 11:39:36
I just think, and it's sad to say that people don't like Salah, simply because his name is Mohammed. If his name was John Davies he would already have a statue and would be a legendary figure, but there has always been a complete dislike for him and something I have noted throughout his career with us.

First it was he was selfish, then he had an ego, then he was outspoken, then he was greedy, now he is a petulant child that never pressed. I can think of a few positive things we could say, like he was a goal machine, for 3 or 4 seasons he was literally the best player in the world. He worked hard in the team, he not only scored a tonne but assisted too. Some of his goals were amazing, I'm sure he also did a lot of good stuff outside of football too.

I'm sorry, I just won't accept statements like "petulant child" he was venting frustration against a manager who was literally going to relegate us if he had of stayed. I'm 100% behind Mo with this one. I'd also say the 20th title is more Mo's than it is Slots

{Ed001's Note - well said.}

20.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 12:06:21
Salah pressed from the front like Rush did, because he was our highest player. Bobby dropped in like Kenny did, same as Beardsley.
Mane worked up and down more, but his goal contributions, even in his best season, did not match Mo’s, who always got more assists as well as goals.
As for him airing his views, don’t believe the spitting tramp Salah and a few more could see what was going on. He rightly stood up to the standards that had dropped Virgil as captain should have done this, and the players who had worked under Klopp should have all been as strong as Salah and should have pushed Slot out in December.


Salah won us the league more than Slot. His numbers in the first half of the season were incredible, and without him we would not have won the league or even got close.
If it was not for the team’s fitness levels already being destroyed by Slot in the second half of the season, he would have broken every record that season, goals and assists.

21.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 12:18:26
We have five very young CBs (2 seniors and 3 U21s). We need a veteran anchor to guide them along their development for at least a year, regardless of how slow he has become or how "petrified" he plays. That aside, the level of disrespect thrown at our legend players is incredible. And then they call themselves "fans". Disgusting.

22.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 13:25:40
I've heard it all now, inbeta. People don't like Salah because his name is Mohammed?

I think Salah has acted like a spoilt brat, petulant child or however else you want to put it, but it has nothing to do with his race, his name or his religion. It has to do with the fact that we were struggling this season, and he was playing as badly as I've ever seen him play, yet he piled more pressure on the manager and the players by whinging to the press about how hard done by he is.

If you have a problem, deal with it like a grown adult and go and speak to the person or people you have a problem with.

Don't go making things worse for everyone by spouting your mouth off to the gutter press. It was selfish, childish and bang out of order.

I love Salah and I wouldn't be against a Salah statue outside Anfield, in fact I think we should do it. He gave us so much and has been one of the best players to ever play for the club, but this season he acted like a petulant child. He did, there's no getting away from it.

It shouldn't tarnish his legacy, he's been an outstanding servant to the club, but facts are facts.

It certainly has nothing to do with his name.

23.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 13:51:23
Salah was a machine. He pressed and, on occasion, tracked back too (despite him being told to stay up front). This narrative that he was lazy is bang wrong. And I'm gutted that he's left, as he is still in peak condition and, for me, would be first on the team sheet.

24.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 14:39:21
Lucky to have had the man wear the great red shirt, an absolute honour in fact.

Salah has done many many great things for us and this club, and should be treated as such.

25.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 14:50:20
Riostepover, you sound a bit confused about Salah. Are you undecided? You seem to completely despise his actions and his character, but you also want a statue?
I am simply pointing out that a lot of fans are very quick to point out negatives around Salah, and often forget to mention his many positives and his Premier League legacy.

I don't care what anyone says. It is unconscious bias. It's ingrained in our culture.

26.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 15:25:14
We could have a statue of Mohammed Salah pressing an opposition CB while telling Slot off.

27.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 15:32:38
Or Salah Gorilla pressing slot with a big smile on his face

28.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 18:20:49
Rio, cmon lad, Salah wasn't the only one who was playing s****, the whole team was. We looked like Utd, even having a midfielder think he is the man like them (szob = Fernandes). Common denominator crap, Dutch mangers and tactics.

29.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 18:26:52
With you on that, Ed02.
Indeed, Salah's problem is he didn't track back as much, but press he does.
And personally, my view is that whatever he was, and whatever everybody say about any other player including Bobby, Salah is by far the best for a long time.

30.) 12 Jun 2026
12 Jun 2026 20:43:46
People have short memories, and I remember reading people complain about Bobby all the time because he didn't score enough and didn't finish enough. But now he's gone, he's an absolute legend and Salah is a villain.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Firmino, but people just love to bad mouth Salah, it's like a hobby for some.

Just enjoy him for what he was and what he did for the club. Take Salah out of Klopp's team and we wouldn't have had half the trophies we got.