Liverpool’s Top 10 Earners: Wages, Contracts and What Comes Next at Anfield

Wage Structure Evolves as Liverpool Plot for the Future

Liverpool’s contract strategy under Arne Slot is beginning to take shape – and the latest moves are as telling as they are bold. Renewals for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were far from routine. They were defining decisions. Retaining two of the club’s greatest modern-day players beyond 2025, both on significantly improved terms, signals a clear intent: this is still a team chasing silverware now, not one slipping into transition.

Yet Liverpool’s approach hasn’t involved reckless spending. Despite heading towards what could be a record-equalling 20th league title, Slot’s men are operating with the Premier League’s fifth-highest wage bill. And while Salah and Van Dijk now occupy the top bracket, their elevation has reshaped the pecking order elsewhere in the dressing room.

The figures are striking. Here is a breakdown of Liverpool’s 10 highest-paid players, their current contracts, and what each scenario could mean as Slot looks to fine-tune his squad.

Equality at the Top: Salah and Van Dijk Lead the Way

=1. Mohamed Salah – £400,000 per week
There’s no longer any doubt: Mohamed Salah is the highest-paid footballer in Liverpool’s history. When he signed a £350,000-per-week extension in summer 2022, the club smashed their previous wage ceiling. The Egyptian forward, now 32, has since agreed a further two-year deal with an additional rise to £400,000 per week.

Liverpool knew they were gambling on longevity and legacy in equal measure, but Salah’s contribution on and off the pitch continues to justify the outlay. His goals remain vital. His presence remains talismanic. And his salary – nearly triple what he was earning upon arriving from Roma in 2017 – underlines just how far his stock has risen at Anfield.

=1. Virgil van Dijk – £400,000 per week
It might surprise some to learn that Van Dijk now earns parity with Salah. But for those inside the club, the logic is clear. Van Dijk, who turned 33 this summer, remains Liverpool’s defensive cornerstone and leader. His renewal until 2027 – and his new status as the best-paid defender in Europe – reflects the club’s belief in his enduring quality.

“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool,” Van Dijk said after signing. Sentiment aside, this is also a calculated footballing decision. Despite his age, Van Dijk has remained fit, dominant, and central to Slot’s system.

Alexander-Arnold’s Future Creates a Gap

3. Trent Alexander-Arnold – £180,000 per week
As it stands, Alexander-Arnold’s contract is due to expire at the end of June – and Real Madrid are waiting. The right-back, who climbed through the academy ranks on a modest £3,000 per week, rose to £180,000 after successive extensions. But there won’t be another one. Madrid are reportedly offering him £250,000 per week, and Liverpool seem resigned to losing a generational talent.

Trent’s impending departure would leave a sizeable void – not just in terms of quality, but in Liverpool’s wage hierarchy. Replacing him will require careful thinking, both financially and tactically.

Robertson, Gravenberch and the £150k Club

4. Andy Robertson – £160,000 per week
Once among Liverpool’s best value-for-money signings, Robertson is now one of their highest earners. The left-back’s journey from a relegated Hull City side to Champions League and Premier League glory is the stuff of folklore. But this season, his form has dipped. There’s a legitimate debate around his long-term role under Slot, particularly with Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth being lined up as a possible successor.

Robertson is under contract until 2026, but paying £160,000 per week for a potential back-up would be an inefficient use of resources.

=5. Ryan Gravenberch – £150,000 per week
Signed from Bayern Munich in 2023, Gravenberch has grown into his role at Liverpool, especially under Slot. At 21, he was already among the club’s top earners, and his development has started to justify that backing. With a contract until 2028, the Dutch midfielder is likely to be a key figure for years to come.

=5. Alexis Mac Allister – £150,000 per week
The World Cup winner arrived from Brighton in 2023 and was immediately given a sizeable wage increase. From £50,000 per week on the south coast to triple that on Merseyside, Mac Allister has made himself indispensable in midfield. His ability to play in multiple roles has made him one of the shrewdest buys in recent memory.

=5. Federico Chiesa – £150,000 per week
A transfer that has yet to convince. Chiesa, brought in from Juventus for £10m plus add-ons, has struggled for fitness and consistency. Earning £150,000 per week, the Italian winger represents a significant financial commitment – one that Liverpool may revisit this summer if suitable offers come in.

=5. Alisson Becker – £150,000 per week
The Brazilian has arguably been Liverpool’s most consistent performer since arriving from Roma in 2018. His 2021 contract extension bumped him up to £150,000 per week, a modest sum for a goalkeeper of his stature. With Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving this summer, Alisson will have genuine competition – but remains Slot’s undisputed No.1 for now.

Uncertainty Ahead for Jota and Nunez

=9. Diogo Jota – £140,000 per week
There’s no questioning Jota’s finishing ability, but his fitness record is becoming a concern. Signed from Wolves in 2020, Jota earned a wage increase to £140,000 following two prolific seasons. However, TEAMtalk recently reported that Liverpool would consider offers in the region of £55m.

With younger attacking options coming through and summer business expected, Jota’s situation remains fluid.

=9. Darwin Nunez – £140,000 per week
A transfer that promised much but has delivered inconsistently. Nunez arrived from Benfica in a deal worth up to £85m and signed a six-year contract worth £140,000 per week. While his energy and unpredictability have excited fans at times, doubts remain over his composure and suitability for Slot’s more measured system.

Liverpool may look to cash in, and freeing up his wages could prove crucial if a high-quality replacement is targeted.

Wages Reflect Evolution, Not Indulgence

What stands out across Liverpool’s wage table isn’t just who earns the most, but the strategy behind each contract. It’s a model that blends reward with restraint. While Salah and Van Dijk now sit at the top of the pile, their deals were earned over time, not handed out prematurely.

There’s also a clear focus on ensuring value – both on the pitch and on the balance sheet. Slot is inheriting a wage bill that reflects success, but not excess. And as changes continue this summer, from Trent’s likely exit to potential sales of Jota or Nunez, further restructuring will take place.

This is how modern Liverpool operate. Methodical, considered, always planning the next move. The Top 10 earners today might not be the same as the Top 10 in twelve months. But the principles guiding those decisions won’t change.