Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, has publicly expressed his desire for Mohamed Salah to remain at the club, amidst swirling speculation about the Egyptian star's future. Van Dijk's comments come after a turbulent week for Salah, marked by public criticism of coach Arne Slot and his omission from several matches.
Salah's recent benching and subsequent "thrown under the bus" remarks after a 3-3 draw with Leeds United, followed by being dropped for the Champions League match against Inter Milan, ignited concerns about his long-term commitment to Liverpool. The 33-year-old, who has a contract with Liverpool until the summer of 2027, has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Despite the uncertainty, Van Dijk has made his feelings clear. "Of course, I have told him that I want him to stay," the Liverpool skipper stated. "He is one of our leaders, and I would love to have him around the team".
Salah returned to the squad for the recent Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion, coming on as a substitute and providing an assist in the 2-0 victory. This appearance marked his last game before joining the Egyptian squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). His absence could last for over a month, depending on Egypt's performance in the tournament.
Van Dijk acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Salah's future, stating, "Mo is going to the Africa Cup of Nations, and we all hope he is going to be absolutely successful there, and we all hope that he's coming back and being important for us for the rest of the season". However, he added, "But on the other side of it, we all know football, and we have no idea what's going to happen".
Despite the external noise, Van Dijk emphasized the unity within the Liverpool squad. "If you feel that it could be a problem within the squad and it affects performances you have a different story, but I think we showed this week we are absolutely united, and we go forward as one," he said. He also lauded manager Arne Slot for his handling of the situation, describing it as "calm" and effective in a "very tricky situation".
Salah's importance to Liverpool is undeniable. Since joining the club in 2017, he has become a legend, scoring 243 goals in 394 appearances and helping the team win numerous titles, including the Premier League and Champions League. He also recently signed a new contract in April, which extends his stay at Anfield. Van Dijk hopes that Salah will continue to be a key figure for Liverpool. "I hope he stays because he's one of my leaders, he is very important and still," Van Dijk said.
While Salah's future remains uncertain, Liverpool are reportedly not seeking to sell him in January, despite potential interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
