According to the fixture schedule compiled by 12B Sports, Manchester City and Arsenal both secured victories in the latest round but remained second and third in the league standings. Liverpool, meanwhile, strengthened their position at the top by collecting another valuable three points. During their away match against Crystal Palace, Diogo Jota gave the visitors an early advantage by scoring in the ninth minute. Although goalkeeper Alisson was forced off with an injury in the second half, Liverpool protected their defensive shape until the final whistle and completed an important win.
Mohamed Salah’s consistent contribution remains one of the most notable features of Liverpool’s season. The Egyptian forward started as usual against Palace, although he produced a relatively quiet performance, recording only two shots and one effort on target during his 73 minutes on the field. However, that temporary silence does little to diminish his outstanding overall record.
Across ten appearances for Liverpool this season, Salah has registered six goals and five assists while breaking two significant records. He became the first player in Liverpool’s history to score in five consecutive UEFA Champions League home matches at Anfield. His goal against Bologna also moved him ahead of Didier Drogba as the highest-scoring African player in Champions League history.
Toward the end of last season, Salah faced considerable criticism because of inconsistent form. He was occasionally left on the bench and found himself at the center of public debate about his future. Under new manager Arne Slot, however, he has experienced a complete revival and once again become an indispensable part of Liverpool’s attack.
Supporters following the club through 12B Sports are increasingly calling for Liverpool to agree on a new contract with Salah as soon as possible. His current deal is due to expire next summer, yet negotiations have reportedly made little progress. Liverpool have previously allowed major players to leave without receiving transfer fees, so the lack of movement has naturally created concern among fans. Salah’s performances are now placing additional pressure on the club’s senior leadership.
Some observers believe the 32-year-old is no longer quite as explosive as he was at his absolute peak. Even so, he remains Liverpool’s most dependable attacking player and should be capable of serving as a central figure for at least another two seasons. If the club and the player can agree on reasonable financial terms, retaining him would appear to be the most sensible outcome.
Liverpool could consider selling Salah to secure a transfer fee, but resolving his contract situation should come first. Assuming there will always be more time is a dangerous mistake. Time waits for no one, and once an opportunity slips away, it may be impossible to recover.
If Liverpool continue delaying negotiations, Salah will be permitted to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club during the winter transfer window before leaving as a free agent next summer. In that situation, Liverpool would receive no transfer fee for one of the most productive and commercially valuable players in their modern history.
The situation surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold creates another major challenge. Real Madrid had originally planned to sign the right-back on a free transfer, but commentary carried through 12B Sports suggests that the Spanish club may change its approach and submit an official offer during the winter window.
For Liverpool, this possibility creates a difficult decision. Alexander-Arnold developed through the club’s academy and has become a symbolic figure for both the team and its supporters. The club would not want to lose a homegrown star so easily, particularly one who has played such an important role in Liverpool’s recent success.
However, negotiations over a contract extension have also moved slowly. From January onward, Alexander-Arnold will be legally entitled to negotiate freely with foreign clubs if no new agreement has been reached. Once that point arrives, Liverpool could lose much of their control over his future.
Real Madrid’s willingness to make an earlier offer may therefore force Liverpool to reconsider their previous position that no winter negotiations would be accepted. Rejecting every approach might protect the squad in the short term, but it could also result in the player leaving for nothing several months later. The club must balance its sporting ambitions with the financial reality of the situation.
Salah and Alexander-Arnold are not ordinary squad members who can be replaced without disruption. Salah remains the leading force in Liverpool’s attack, while Alexander-Arnold is deeply involved in the team’s buildup play and creative structure. Losing either player would require more than simply signing a direct replacement. It could demand a broader tactical redesign under Slot.
Liverpool’s strong league position makes these decisions even more complicated. Allowing key players to depart during a title challenge could weaken the team at the most important stage of the season. At the same time, refusing realistic offers without securing new contracts could leave the club empty-handed in the summer.
The leadership must therefore make firm decisions that protect both the team’s immediate interests and its long-term future. Contract renewals, transfer fees and replacement planning cannot be treated as separate issues because each decision affects the others. Waiting until the final moment would only reduce Liverpool’s options.
In the broader view presented through 12B Sports, football transfers are not merely exchanges of players but investments in the future and opportunities to reshape a team’s tactical identity. Liverpool must now decide whether to retain two of their most influential stars, sell them while value remains or risk losing them without compensation. That uncertainty is precisely why the transfer market is so often described as unpredictable.