'You shouldn't be doing open heart surgery on the team'

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Liverpool should be "doing everything they possibly can" to keep "unique players" Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk at the club, fan Ben Kent has told BBC Radio Merseyside.

The uncertain futures of the three key players has been an ongoing undercurrent to the Reds' impressive season, with all their contracts coming to an end in the summer.

"I said six months ago that if we get to November and none have signed then we are in a horrific position. We are now five months further on from that," Kent said.

"I think it is an open secret Trent will leave. I hope I am wrong, I really do, but I do expect that to happen. With Salah and Van Dijk, I think my heart says both stay and my head is just clouded. I like to think the club is doing everything they possibly can to keep them because why would you not?

"It doesn't send the best message out to players coming to the club if you are fighting a battle to keep two of the best players in the world. We can argue all day about age and numbers, but there is no better centre-half in the world currently than Van Dijk - no-one will ever convince me there is. He is 33 and this is his best season for Liverpool ever. He is not regressing in any way."

Reports are suggesting right-back Alexander-Arnold could be heading to Real Madrid, while comments from Van Dijk and Salah have consistently suggested they are no closer to signing new deals.

"I know FSG and the club generally have a policy for players over the age of 30, but these are unique players," Kent added. "We are talking about the captain of the club [in Van Dijk] and one of the best players ever to play for the club in Mo Salah.

"If Salah signed a three-year contract and his numbers dropped off next season, the club could sell him to Saudi Arabia next summer for x amount of money.

"It would be a shame for Liverpool, if and when they do win the league, to go on and have a rebuild because it shouldn't be that way. It should be building and fine-tweaking. You shouldn't be doing open heart surgery on the team."

What do you think will be the outcome of the contracts situation? Make your prediction

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