Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has started evaluating the squad at Anfield after club captain Virgil van Dijk and former forward Mohamed Salah were eliminated from the World Cup on July 9, 2026.
Internal discussions are underway regarding the long-term viability of recent contract extensions, with interest from clubs in Italy, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Major League Soccer, according to TEAMtalk and BBC.
Van Dijk's Future at Anfield
Liverpool legend John Barnes expressed support for retaining the Dutch defender to assist the newly appointed Spanish manager during this transition period.
"I'd like to see Virgil's contract being extended because for Iraola, he'll need his senior players," Barnes said.
Barnes highlighted the need to maintain established leadership following the recent departures of other key senior figures.
"Those that have been around the block and know the club... so I think it's important that we keep a hold of Virgil next season," he added.
Van Dijk shared his thoughts on social media after the Netherlands' early exit from the tournament.
"As captain, all I ever wanted was to make this country proud," Van Dijk said.
"To see our World Cup end so early is heartbreaking because I know how much this team gave every single day," he added.
He emphasized that the squad must accept responsibility for the performance before focusing on the upcoming domestic season.
"A lot has been said and that is for another day. Now is about accepting that we failed, and we take full responsibility for that," Van Dijk stated.
The captain thanked the supporters who followed the team throughout the competition.
"I'd like to thank our traveling fans and everyone back home who believed in us and stood by us until the end.
We saw you, and we felt your support every step of the way," he said.
Journalist James Pearce clarified on X that Van Dijk is not leaving Anfield imminently.
"Virgil van Dijk is going nowhere," Pearce said.
Meanwhile, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that AC Milan, under manager Ruben Amorim, maintains a long-term interest in the defender.
They "intend to return strongly next year, when his contract expires," the report stated.
Amorim is restructuring his defensive options, including evaluating current squad members like Fikayo Tomori, whose defensive ability is "certainly not his strong point."
Salah's Options and Interest
Mohamed Salah commented on his future prior to Egypt's World Cup campaign against Argentina.
"I am still assessing things," Salah said.
He indicated that definitive decisions would follow the conclusion of his international duties.
"I have time now. I am going to the World Cup and then everything will become clear," he added.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano detailed ongoing international interest in the Egyptian free agent via his YouTube channel.
"He has the possibility from Saudi [Arabia] because in Saudi they always wanted Mo Salah.
Already [for] two or three years, Mo Salah has been a top target," Romano said.
Romano added that North American franchises have also initiated contact to explore potential terms.
"My understanding is that also from the MLS, some calls took place to understand the situation of Mo Salah, so MLS could be a possibility as well.
MLS, Saudi, let's see what Salah decides, but after the World Cup there's going to be time for him and his agent Ramy Abbas to decide the future," he said.
John Barnes shared his perspective on how Salah should approach his next career move.
"No other club in Europe is going to give him the wages that he wants," Barnes said.
Barnes suggested that remaining in competitive European leagues would require financial compromises.
"If he wants to stay in Europe and he's happy to take a decrease in salary, then fine," he said.
He noted that Salah possesses the tactical intelligence to adapt his playing style as his physical attributes evolve.
"I don't think he's going to be the player he was, but even though he's lost some of his pace, he's the type of player that can adapt to becoming a creator and playmaker," Barnes said.
Barnes concluded that prioritizing competition over financial incentives would be commendable.
"I just don't think a top club in Europe is going to give Mo what he wants, but I would completely admire him for taking less money and continuing in a more competitive league," he added.
Additionally, former Fenerbahce board member Ertan Torunogullari told Fotospor that previous discussions with Salah had reached advanced stages.
"He was very keen on coming to Turkey. The meetings we had were extremely positive," Torunogullari said.
He indicated substantial progress on the financial structure of a potential deal.
"We had established common ground with him on many issues, including his salary," he said.
Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly commented on Liverpool target Bradley Barcola's development at Paris Saint-Germain.
"Barcola doesn't need to leave PSG," Desailly said.
Desailly explained that the young French international requires more consistent playing time in Ligue 1 before considering a move to the Premier League.
"He's too young.
(France national team head coach) Didier Deschamps is teaching him a lesson and he's giving him a chance.
I thought that for Barcola to start and play 90 minutes at the international level, he wouldn't do it because Barcola is too light on defensive discipline," he said.
He noted that tactical and defensive adjustments are still necessary for the winger's progression.
"Remember, we play with four offensive players, and bringing Barcola into the system could have been another weakness because he doesn't make the effort to defend.
When you look at his previous matches with PSG, or even some of the matches he did for the national team during the Euros, he had that weakness," Desailly said.
Desailly elaborated on the player's current physical and defensive attributes relative to English football demands.
"He's young; the attention and defensive alertness isn't there to match the speed he projects when he's going forward," he said.
He concluded that staying in Paris would benefit Barcola's career more than an immediate high-profile transfer.
"He wasn't making the effort to get back into position. So, should he move to the Premier League?
Not yet. Not yet at all.
Sorry Arsenal and Liverpool fans.
He should stay at Paris Saint-Germain, play 25 games a season, and grow within that system," Desailly said.
