Liverpool’s contract conundrum gives hope to the chasing pack | OneFootball

Welcome to 2025 and the first in Football Today’s ‘newsletter’ series – a new football column packed with news, opinions and more.

We look at a major football talking point and point you in the direction of some of the best football stories elsewhere on the internet.

You will also find links to some of the top features on Football Today and what to watch out for over the next day. Let’s get this show on the road!

Contract uncertainty could scupper Liverpool’s title hopes

Liverpool head into 2025 with a healthy eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League. With a game in hand, they are massive favourites to win the title.

However, the ongoing uncertainty over the futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah could yet prove to be an unnecessary distraction.

While the trio have been in fine form for the Reds this season, there is no guarantee that will continue over the next few months.

Real Madrid’s move for Alexander-Arnold will likely be the first in a series of developments that could hinder Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title for the second time.

The club quickly rebuffed the approach and the defender seemingly has no plans to jump ship in January, but he now has something to ponder.

Van Dijk and Salah could be handed a similar predicament this month, given they are able to sign pre-contract agreements to join a foreign club on a free transfer next summer.

Although Liverpool are renowned for their shrewd business practices, the current sideshow undoubtedly has the potential to derail their season.

If the chasing pack can close the gap on the Reds over the next few weeks, the outside noise about the futures of three key players could become debilitating.

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There’s just one game in the Premier League today, with Brentford hosting Arsenal. The Gunners could close the gap to leaders Liverpool to six points with a victory.