Former Premier League defender Sebastian Bassong says “there is a bit of game” being played by Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold as their future at Liverpool remains unclear.
The trio, whose contracts expire next summer, are making the headlines for the right reasons, according to Bassong – because their strong performances warrant a contract extension or a big move after Anfield.
“When you look at those three players, there is no coincidence between the fact that they’re out of contract and their level of performances,” said Bassong on BBC World Service’s Sportsworld.
“Obviously, there’s a new manager coming in, but even unconsciously, when you know you are out of contract, it about trying to sign a new contract or to get a better new contract elsewhere.
“When you’re a top player, that is when your level of performance is going to just rise straight back up.
“So right now, I think there’s a bit of a game. Football is a business at the end of the day. They want to get a pay rise. They want to show their capabilities and the best way for them to that is to perform.”