Keith Wyness

Fri 31 January 2025 16:04, UK

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted a hike in wage costs at Liverpool will not prevent them agreeing new deals with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 67-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed there is “nothing holding them back” despite the unexpected rise.

Deloitte’s 2025 Money League (23 January) revealed Liverpool’s wage costs rose from £373million in 2022-23 to a club-record £387million last season.

That is despite a lack Champions League football at Anfield last term – with Jurgen Klopp’s side instead eliminated at the quarter-final stage in the Europa League.

The Merseysiders are spending 63% of their turnover on wages – the same level as the previous campaign despite the lack of top-tier European football and a number of key exits in 2023.

Van Dijk and Salah are all out of contract in the off-season and are yet to reach an agreement over new Liverpool deals.

Alexander-Arnold’s deal is also expiring but he has been the subject of an approach from Real Madrid ahead of joining on a free transfer.

Liverpool can agree Van Dijk and Salah deals despite unexpected wage bill hike

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Liverpool are spending 63% of their turnover of wages.

“There’s still room within the budget.

“Any renewals they’ve got in the pipeline – there’s still room to do that. I don’t think there will be any impact on those three players.

“There’s also plenty of room under the PSR rules, so I don’t think there’s anything holding them back – should they agree deals with Salah and Van Dijk.”

In other news, Liverpool to open Harvey Elliott talks after source’s reveal.

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