Salah and Van Dijk's Problems, Explained

Salah and Van Dijk's drop-off in form this season can be easily explained by one thing

they're not in a contract year anymore. The contract year is a fascinating phenomenon

A term born out of the NBA, it refers to a player who is entering the final year of their contract

and, as a result, locks in more than ever. Salah and Van Dijk are two prime examples of this. Last

year, with no guarantees over their future, they both defied farther time by putting in two of the

best seasons of their respective careers. Salah's was arguably the best individual season we've ever

seen in the Premier League, Van Dijk carried an underperforming Liverpool backline. They both got

their big contracts and now they're both struggling. It can go the other way too, as it did for Trent

Alexander-Arnold. With no intention of signing, a player who has deliberately entered his contract

year can sometimes down tools and lumber to an underwhelming finale at their club. Quick shout

out to Steph Curry, who delivered the NBA's first and only ever unanimous MVP season after getting a

massive contract. What an athlete. Salah and Van Dijk's seasons left Liverpool with no choice but

to give them a big payday. It's just the way the cookie crumbles. I wonder if they'd change those

decisions given the chance now