Speaking on talkSPORT following Liverpool’s recent 3-2 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth on January 25, 2026, Foster highlighted visible dips in form from both club legends and warned that clinging to aging stars risks a sharp performance drop-off, a pattern he’s seen repeatedly in big-name players.
Foster, reflecting on the Reds’ ongoing struggles—now sixth in the table after a winless run in the league—pointed to specific concerns. “When you watch Virgil van Dijk play, he seems to be doubting himself,” he said. “And with Mo Salah, we’ve seen it so many times where big-name players sign that big deal and then the drop-off is phenomenal. If they could get £40m or £50m for Mo Salah, and probably the same for Virgil van Dijk, you’re taking it.”
The comments arrive at a precarious moment for Arne Slot’s side. Salah and van Dijk, both in their mid-30s after signing two-year extensions to 2027 last year, were instrumental in last season’s Premier League triumph. However, this campaign has exposed vulnerabilities: van Dijk has faced criticism for perceived lapses in concentration, while Salah’s output has dipped amid reported tensions with Slot (including a brief omission from the Champions League squad earlier in the season). Liverpool’s defensive issues have been compounded by injuries, and the attack has sputtered, scoring just five goals in their last five league games.
Foster’s £100m combined valuation—£50m each—strikes many as undervalued given the players’ pedigrees. Salah, a three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, previously turned down massive Saudi Pro League offers (including a rejected £150m bid from Al-Ittihad in 2023), and van Dijk remains one of the world’s elite centre-backs when at his best. Yet Foster argues the financial logic is sound: offloading them now could fund a squad refresh, especially with Liverpool’s heavy summer spending on talents like Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez.
The “ruthless warning” resonates amid broader uncertainty at Anfield. Jamie Carragher recently cautioned that missing Champions League qualification could jeopardize Slot’s job, while board-level meetings have reportedly set strict conditions for the manager’s future. Selling icons like Salah and van Dijk would represent a seismic shift, but Foster insists it’s a conversation the club must have to avoid decline. “You’re taking it” if the money arrives, he emphasized, underscoring the brutal pragmatism of modern football.
Liverpool’s European form offers some respite—they rank fourth in the Champions League league phase and face Qarabag at Anfield on January 28, where a win could secure direct knockout entry. But domestically, the pressure mounts with tough fixtures ahead. Replacing Salah and van Dijk would be daunting: potential successors like Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise have been linked with £100m+ valuations individually, highlighting the challenge of maintaining standards.
For now, no official bids have surfaced, and the club remains committed to both players per their contracts. However, Foster’s stark verdict has ignited debate among fans and pundits: is this the moment to rebuild, or a premature dismissal of proven winners? With the season’s direction hanging in the balance, Liverpool face a pivotal few months in deciding the futures of two of their greatest modern servants.
