Why Liverpool Have Been Backed to Sell Salah and Van Dijk to Make Room for Isak and Wirtz

‎Liverpool could be set for a dramatic summer in 2026, with club legends Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk potentially making way as part of a wider rebuild. Former Reds striker Stan Collymore has explained why such a move may be necessary as Arne Slot looks to shape Liverpool’s next chapter.

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‎Stan Collymore claims Liverpool may sacrifice Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in 2026 to establish Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz as the club’s new leaders.

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‎According to Collymore, Slot is likely to receive full backing from the club hierarchy to prioritise long-term planning over sentiment. That approach could see Liverpool pivot away from their established stars in favour of younger, high-value signings.

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‎Ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, Liverpool shattered transfer records by landing Florian Wirtz for £116 million ($155m) and Alexander Isak for £125m ($168m). While both players have struggled to find consistency due to form and fitness issues, their importance to the club’s future remains undiminished.

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‎Liverpool’s ambition to challenge for the biggest trophies demands constant renewal, and Collymore believes that inevitably involves rotating elite personnel through Anfield.

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‎Salah and Van Dijk committed their futures to the club last season, extending contracts until 2027. However, Salah’s recent explosive comments have sparked debate over his long-term role, while Van Dijk approaches his 35th birthday this summer.

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‎Discussing Salah’s standing among Liverpool greats, Collymore was clear in his assessment.

‎“I think he’s up there with them,” he told GOAL in association with BetWright betting. “His numbers add up, his trophies add up.”

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‎Collymore went on to reflect on the pressures of modern football, noting how global exposure and social media magnify every comment and performance. He also highlighted how Liverpool’s worldwide fanbase often gravitates toward individual stars, particularly in overseas markets.

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‎He explained that football’s growing focus on personal brands began with icons such as Messi and Ronaldo, and while Salah may sit just below that level, he still commands enormous loyalty and empathy from supporters.

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‎As for what comes next, Collymore expects Salah to remain involved for the rest of the current season. However, he believes significant changes could follow once Slot begins his “2.0” phase at the club.

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‎“I do think that if you are going to indulge Isak and Wirtz as the new top men at Liverpool, then the old top men have got to go,” Collymore said.

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‎He suggested that Salah’s frustration may stem from the attention lavished on the new arrivals, with Isak and Wirtz receiving widespread acclaim upon signing. That shift in focus may have left the Egyptian feeling undervalued.

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‎Ultimately, Collymore sees only two possible outcomes: either the stars coexist successfully, or Liverpool make decisive calls. His view leans toward the latter, with Van Dijk potentially staying one additional season and Salah departing in the summer.

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‎Salah remains a target for Saudi Pro League clubs, with lucrative offers expected for the 33-year-old. His Liverpool record stands at 250 goals in 421 games, alongside major honours including the Premier League, Champions League, Golden Boot, and PFA Player of the Year, but his Anfield era could soon draw to a close.