'Bad news' - Paul Merson sends Arsenal warning after Mohamed Salah Liverpool contract mistake

Paul Merson speaks on Sky Sports after the news about Mohamed Salah's Liverpool contract broke

If Liverpool needed a lift for their final Premier League title push then they couldn't have asked for a better one.

The news that the Reds are increasingly confident they can reach an agreement with Mohamed Salah over a new contract was met with widespread delight

That it followed Virgil van Dijk's admission that progress is being made over negotiations over his own contract

Liverpool suffered their third loss in four games when they lost 3-2 at Fulham.

That result means Arne Slot's side's lead at the top of the Premier League remains at 11 points going this weekend's visit of West Ham

captain Van Dijk and leading goalscorer Salah are sure to receive rapturous receptions when they take to the pitch on Sunday

While uncertainty remains over the future of vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, the fact that two of Liverpool's most important players are committing their futures to the club is huge.

Paul Merson admits he got it wrong. "It’s massive, huge,"

"I didn’t expect any of them to sign if I’m being honest.

"To get those two signed is phenomenal. But it’s bad news for Arsenal, bad news for Manchester City, and bad news for Chelsea. Those two staying will make Liverpool very strong again next season.

"If they would have lost those two, or two of the three, I thought they would have been right up against it next season."

Merson had previously said: "I've been saying it for the last eight or nine months - I don't see any of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk signing at Liverpool.

"Because I just don't know why you wouldn't have signed already. Why would you keep on losing £80,000 a week, every week for the last 18 months? I'd be quite shocked if all three stayed from here."

The Reds need 11 points from their final seven games of the season to win the English top-flight title for a record-equalling 20th time.

Merson believes they have come in for unfair criticism in recent weeks given how dominant they have been in the Premier League.

He said: "Liverpool have won the league quite easily. The league is the Holy Grail. The league is the ultimate. The cup competitions are bonuses.

"Liverpool have been amazing this season. You’re always going to drop off a bit when you’re that much clear. I think they took a bit of undue stick when they lost to Paris Saint-Germain and then the lost the League Cupfinal. I thought it was a bit unfair to be honest."

Alexander-Arnold, like Van Dijk and Salah, sees his contract expire at the end of the campaign.

But it appears the Reds academy graduate will not be following in their footsteps by signing fresh terms. Instead, he appears set to join Real Madrid as a free agent.

Merson said: "I think he's the best passer of a footballer in the Premier League by a country mile. He takes a lot of stick for his defending but he’s won everything there is to win in the game so I’m not sure how that plays out really.

“If you couldn’t defend, you wouldn’t be playing right-back for Liverpool.”

“He’s a special player. Who turns down Real Madrid? He shouldn’t get stick. He’s won everything with Liverpool, he cost them nothing, and he’s going to go for nothing."