Liverpool boss Slot reacts to new Haaland contract: ‘Clubs have spent incredible amounts’ | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Arne Slot says Erling Haaland’s bumper new contract is a sign of how difficult it is to compete in the Premier League.

Manchester City have secured Erling Haaland’s long-term future with the biggest contract in Premier League history. The Norwegian striker has signed a nine-and-a-half-year deal, making him the first player in the league to earn over £500,000 per week, with additional bonuses and image rights further increasing his earnings.

The contract, which runs until June 2034, includes clauses that will only become valid halfway through the duration of the deal. Furthermore, any previous release clauses in Haaland’s contract set to take effect in 2027 have been removed, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Initially chuckling at the news when asked about the significant investment by Manchester City, Slot acknowledged the financial power of the league’s top clubs.

“We know how good we have to be every single day to compete in this league,” Slot said.

“It is not only the club you are referring to. Chelsea have spent £1.2 billion, and United have also spent an incredible amount. Every team spends a lot of money here, which is why it’s such an interesting league to be part of.

“Some seasons, one club spends more; other seasons, another club does. That’s what makes this league so intense and so difficult to win. But that’s also the reason we all want to be here, to compete against the best, with the best.”

Slot also expressed his satisfaction with Liverpool’s current squad, despite the financial muscle of their rivals. “We are very happy with the team we have at the moment. We are still able to compete with all these teams that are spending an incredible amount of money.”

While Manchester City have secured their star striker for the long term, Liverpool face uncertainty regarding the futures of three key players: Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk.

Salah signed his latest contract extension in 2022, leaving Liverpool with under three years to negotiate a further renewal. The club may have expected a decline in his form by the time he reached 32, but with no new agreement in place and having turned down a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal in 2023, Liverpool now find themselves in a precarious position.

Similarly, Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contracts are also due to expire in the summer. Alexander-Arnold’s four-year contract, signed in 2021, has been running down, leaving the club at risk of losing a homegrown talent who has frequently been linked with Real Madrid.

Manchester City’s decisive action with Haaland serves as a reminder of the importance of securing long-term commitments from key players before contract situations escalate. While Liverpool fans will hope their stars remain at Anfield beyond the summer, the club must learn from their rivals proactive approach to contract negotiations.