Arne Slot has made light of Mohamed Salah’s comments about his contract, stressing the forward’s commitment to the team.
Following the 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday, where Salah scored a brace, the Egyptian said he felt “more out than in” regarding his future at the club.
With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, Salah’s words have fuelled speculation that he could be on his way out of Liverpool after seven years at the club.
Slot was quick to reassure fans of Salah’s importance to his plans ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
The Liverpool manager said: “The only thing I can say is, if I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out.
“I don’t think (the contract situation) distracts Mo at all. He said he was one of the five best players Liverpool had, and I agree with him.”
Slot has had an impressive start to life in Merseyside, with 10 wins from his 12 Premier League matches and a maximum 12 points in the Champions League. This week however is key in how the rest of this season could play out.
Liverpool face a tough test as they prepare to host Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield ahead of the visit of Manchester City at the weekend.
Slot highlighted ‘Los Blanco’s’ qualities: “They can win by being dominant and outplaying the opponent, but if it’s a difficult game, they always find a way to win or go to the next round.
“They can win it in different ways, and that is probably one of the reasons.
“If you are at Liverpool, you always play big games. But, yes, these two are special because these three clubs have dominated the league and Europe recently.”
Liverpool have faced Real Madrid six times since losing to them in the 2018 Champions Leaguie final. Madrid have won each time apart from a goalless quarter final second leg draw in 2021 that saw Carlo Ancellotti’s side progress.
That run also includes another final defeat for Liverpool, in 2021, and a painful 5-2 defeat two years later after taking a 2-0 lead.
Slot said: “If we are fortunate enough to be a goal up, or even more up, we are still aware of the fact, especially because of what we experienced two years ago, that the game will never be done until the referee blows his whistle.”
Slot confirmed that a few key players would be unavailable to face Madrid. Kostas Tsimikas, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota are all dealing with injuries. However, Slot offered hope regarding Alexander-Arnold, suggesting the right-back might play a limited role if necessary.
He said: “Trent is in the squad but he will not be available to start. If it’s really necessary, he can make a few minutes, but he’s not going to start.”
