Noel Whelan

Wed 6 July 2022 7:51, UK

Noel Whelan has claimed Virgil van Dijk’s next contract renewal will see his pay brought in line with Mohamed Salah after Liverpool broke the bank to keep the forward.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 30-year-old defender will “understand the process” and wait his turn before asking for bumper new terms.

Liverpool confirmed on Friday (1 July) that Salah has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Anfield after a long period of speculation about his future.

Football Insider revealed that Salah has become the best-paid player in the club’s history and will earn £400,000-a-week across a three-year deal – a total of £62.4million.

The new deal means Salah’s wage packet has dwarfed that of former top earner Van Dijk – who reportedly brings home £220,000-a-week.

Whelan suggested the former Southampton star will demand increased terms once his existing contract reaches a “certain point”.

“I don’t think the likes of Van Dijk will be spitting their dummies out at this news,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

“They’re far too professional for that. There’s a respect between the players, the club, and the manager which means they all understand the process.

“However, when Van Dijk’s contract gets to a certain point then I’m sure Liverpool will see his value and pay him what he is due.

“He’s got to wait until that certain point until he can demand that. He won’t be far off Salah with his next contract. He will know that.”

Liverpool are yet to wrap up terms for Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita – who are both out of contract next summer (2023).

Van Dijk is under contract until June 2025.

In other news, finance guru tips Liverpool to lose boardroom battle amid “huge backlash”.