'I don't think we could cope with losing him' - Barnes on Van Dijk

Former Liverpool midfielder John Barnes says Virgil van Dijk's contract should be the first priority for the club.

The Dutchman, like team-mates Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, is out of contract in the summer and is already free to talk to clubs overseas.

Of that high-profile trio, Barnes believes it is clear who is the most critical for Liverpool to retain.

"We want them all to stay, but if you were to put them in order, I would say Virgil is the most important," he said. "It would be great to have all three of them and the club have no control of that.

"I don't think we could cope with losing Van Dijk."

Barnes also suggested that the club must be careful when offering Salah a new contract despite the Egypt's forward continued outstanding form.

"He is going to slow down maybe next year or the year after," Barnes said. "If you look at what he's doing now and give him a four-year contract and think he's going to be the same in three years, he won't. The club has to make the right decision.

"The club need to look at the end of that contract and think will he have the same impact as he has now.

"It happens to everyone - [Ian] Rush, [Kenny] Dalglish, Billy Liddell... it happens to us all."

Do you agree with Barnes? Make your selection here