"Going to be something that is looming over your head" – Emile Heskey claims Liverpool trio's contract situations could derail title push

Ex-Liverpool ace Emile Heskey has hinted that the Reds' 2024-25 Premier League title push could take a hit due to three first-team star's current contract situations.

The Reds, who named Arne Slot as their manager earlier this summer, are second in the Premier League table now. They are on 22 points from nine league matches, just a point behind holders Manchester City.

However, Liverpool are in danger of losing captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold next summer. All of the aforesaid players are in the final year of their respective deals.

Speaking exclusively to Tribal Football, Heskey shared his honest thoughts on Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold's respective contract situations. He elaborated:

"I do believe that Virgil van Dijk has spoken about how discussions have started. I don't think there will be auditions. We are talking about top-level players within player recruitment, within clubs they know which players they want anyway. Whoever is in for them, they know what they are in for rather than any kind of audition."

Claiming that the Merseyside outfit could suffer a dip in form due to the uncertainty surrounding the aforementioned trio's futures, Heskey said:

"It is always going to be something that is looming over your head when you've got players of that level as well, because at that level you are talking about captains, leaders, game-deciders who have not signed a contract and it's looming over your head."

Heskey, who helped Liverpool win six trophies as a player, added:

"It is not easy but you have to take your hat off to them to still be performing like they are when they haven't got a contract at the end of the season. I wouldn't say they are fighting for their contracts as they are top players but they just haven't got their contracts at the minute."

Cody Gakpo names fastest Liverpool player

During a conversation on YouTube channel Pro: Direct Soccer, Liverpool star Cody Gakpo revealed the fastest Reds player right now. He said (h/t Rousing The Kop):

"[Andrew Robertson] is quick but not, like, the fastest, you know what I mean? [Mohamed Salah is fast, but] Darwin Nunez is the fastest in the team, yeah."

Nunez, 25, has scored two goals and provided as many assists in 10 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside outfit this campaign.

The Uruguayan star is next likely to be in action for Liverpool in their EFL Cup last-16 clash against Brighton & Hove Albion this Wednesday.