Jamie Redknapp has no doubt Virgil van Dijk is the most important player in the Liverpool squad and therefore deserves to earn more than anyone else - including Mohamed Salah.
Van Dijk, 30, is widely regarded as the best defender in the Premier League and he signed a four-year extension at Anfield last summer. This made the Dutchman the highest earner on Liverpool's books as he is believed to take home £220,000 per week.
However, he could be usurped at the top of the salary table if Salah signs a new deal to prolong his five-year stay on Merseyside. The Egyptian, 29, remains locked in talks with club chiefs and reports earlier this season claimed he is seeking a weekly wage of at least £300,000, which the prolific forward believes reflects his importance.
However, former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp insists no one in Jurgen Klopp's squad is as indispensable as Van Dijk. "I'm sure Mohamed Salah's getting paid or been offered a vast amount of money," the 48-year-old told Sky Sports after the Reds won 2-1 at Southampton on Tuesday night.
"But sometimes you have to think, 'Well if we give him that much, then what does Virgil van Dijk want?' Now, Virgil van Dijk for me is the most important player at the club.
"I wouldn't give anyone any more money than him. That's how I see it. I know strikers should get more in terms of that's always been the way it is but whatever Virgil gets, he should be on the most. He's the most important one."
Motioning to co-pundit Jamie Carragher, Redknapp continued: "I think Mo Salah - you said this, we've spoken about this before - they will find another Mo Salah; you can't find another Virgil van Dijk right now.
"Liverpool could theoretically, if they lost him (Salah), maybe go and get someone to replace him. His goals, his numbers are unbelievable but there will always be another great striker that comes to this club. They've had so many in the past and they'll have so many in the future."
Who is more important for Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah? Have your say in the comments!
Salah is Liverpool's top goalscorer this season with 30 goals in all competitions and he also has 15 assists to his name. Van Dijk, meanwhile, has helped the Reds achieve the second-best defensive record in the Premier League with 25 goals conceded in 37 games.
Neither of the duo featured in the midweek victory at St Mary's and Klopp may be reluctant to risk them against Wolves on Sunday - the final day of the top-flight season - due to the Champions League final against Real Madrid taking place the following weekend.
