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Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was always going to be asked about Liverpool in some form during the Red Bull press conference which unveiled him to the media. As well as outlining his new role, he had plenty to say about the Reds as well.
Klopp has taken on the role of the Red Bull group’s head of global soccer since the turn of the year and on Tuesday, was presented to the press in Salzburg, Austria. On the agenda were the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract situations remain unresolved, with Klopp asked if he could see any of the trio ending up playing for Red Bull clubs.
“Virgil, I’m pretty sure he would love to have five more years at Liverpool and then between 41 and 44 come to New York,” Klopp replied. “He probably underestimates U.S. football. But open arms, no problem.”
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He was also asked about the two other Liverpool players who are out of contract at the end of the season. “Mo yes, I would love to, but I don’t think we have the chance to pay it!” he said.
“Trent yes, and then he could finally learn defending, eh? I can’t believe you still discuss this still. It’s so poor really. I am really happy I am not a part of that. I watched a few of the press conferences when he had to talk about it and I thought ‘they still don’t understand it’.
“And yes he didn’t play well against Manchester United but if you made such a big fuss of him when he plays well like you make a fuss when he doesn’t play well, that would be a cool planet.”
Liverpool.com says: Van Dijk ending up in MLS one day could make some sense. It is a decent level but one he would be able to navigate well into his 30s, and the lifestyle is nice for players who want to experience something different from the Premier League. It definitely could be one to watch, whether that is with New York Red Bulls or someone else.
The same can be said of Salah and Alexander-Arnold too. Salah going to America rather than Saudi Arabia (not that he should be thinking about either just yet) could add up, while Alexander-Arnold, when his career is winding down, feels like the kind of player who could end up enjoying the MLS lifestyle at some point later down the line.