Football
Exclusive: Liverpool Legend Alan Kennedy Urges Reds to Retain Their ‘Heartbeat’ Players
Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy emphasizes the importance of retaining key players like Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold to sustain the Reds' dominance. Arne Slot's men are the bookies' favourite to win the Premier League. Read his exclusive insights on Liverpool's season and leadership.
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Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy believes it is paramount the club try to do everything in their power to hold on the ‘heartbeat’ of their team.
Leading scorer Mohamed Salah, skipper Virgil van Dijk and fellow defender Trent Alexander-Arnold have played pivotal roles for the Reds this season in helping them fly to the top of the Premier League.
The Importance of Keeping Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold
Arne Slot’s on-song side are rightly savouring being two points clear of last season’s champions Manchester City at the summit.
But Salah, van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in the summer, with rumours continue to circulate that all three Champions League and Premier League winners could leave Anfield in just over six months’ time.
Salah has been heavily linked with a big money move to Saudia Arabia, as has Netherlands international Van Dijk.
England international Alexander-Arnold has been tipped to join great friend Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid next season.
“You’ve got to have the best players out there, that’s what made Liverpool the top, top team in the 1960s, 70s and 80s,” two-time European Cup winner Kennedy told SportsBoom.com.
“It’s really important to keep them all, but at the time you always need new players coming in.”
“I’ve always said you have to have leaders in teams – and I think all three of them have grown into leaders.”
It’s not just about shouting about players, it’s the encouragement side of it with younger players and also the way you want to play
Alan Kennedy
Salah’s Influence and Transfer Speculation
“Just look at Mo Salah, he’s been prolific. He’s one of these players that will have lots of offers throughout his career because he’s such a talent.”
“You’re going to pay money to see him play, but I just feel like he keeps making the right decisions.”
“It’s all about the way you’re playing and getting results – and that’s something he’s very good at.”
“If there’s a goal to get, he’ll be in there fighting for it.”
“But for me he also does his job helping Trent Alexander-Arnold, he helps him on the right-hand side.”
“I think it’s working well with the players, there’s no egos for me.”
Kennedy wrote his name in Liverpool folklore by winning the European Cup twice with the club, but not only that, scoring the winning goals in both matches in a golden era for the Anfield outfit.
His late second-half goal secured a memorable 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the 1981 European Cup final and then, just three years later, Kennedy scored the decisive penalty which saw the club beat Roma to land the 1984 European Cup crown.
The Vital Leadership Roles of Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold
Kennedy, now 70, also won five league titles with Liverpool and four League Cup accolades in a distinguished career on Merseyside.
The former left-back admits he now sees parallels with the Liverpool side that he played in with the current generation of stars.
“They look like they’ve been together for years,” added Kennedy.
“It’s looking very good for this season. I do enjoy watching them, they’ve certainly developed into a team that is full of confidence. They certainly know how to play.”
“Whether that’s coming from the manager or the players themselves, I just think they’ve absolutely terrific this season.”
“A lot of the fans are very, very happy with the way they’re playing.”
“And it’s not just about one particular player, they look a confident team who have been put together.”
“Of course there will be slip-ups along the way, there always is, but I just think they’re good enough to win just about every game – and I bet they’re disappointed if they don’t.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.