Liverpool manager Arne Slot has addressed the future of out of contract stars Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold following the announcement of a new contract for Mohamed Salah.
Heading into the closing weeks of the season Premier League leaders Liverpool were at risk of losing three of their leading stars, before Slot received a timely boost with the news that Mohamed Salah had signed a new two-year deal.
However, the future of Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk remains less certain with both players entering the title run-in with their future up in the air.
Alexander-Arnold is almost certain to leave the club and is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, ending his long association with his hometown club.
However, Liverpool are more hopeful of striking a deal with their talismanic defender, Van Dijk. Now, Slot has addressed the speculation regarding the pair’s future ahead of their weekend game with West Ham.
Arne Slot praises ‘incredible’ Virgil Van Dijk
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on the day that Salah’s extension was announced, Slot was cagey when asked about the future of his two defenders.
Stating that he would only discuss contracts once they were signed, Slot went on to praise Van Dijk for his influence in Liverpool’s title chase.
Slot said: “I think you know the answer. The boring answer, as always. We talk about contracts if they are signed. So in the situation with Mo, we are talking about it. As long as they’re not signed, we don’t talk about it.
“But I can tell you that I’m very happy with Virgil this season. He’s been incredible for us. Even the last few games where maybe there were moments where he could do better. But if you look at the other 89 minutes, he’s such an important player for us.
“So, let’s hope he can do the same, what I just hoped for with Mo. He can do the same on Sunday as well, being our leader again, as he’s always been this season against West Ham.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot discusses Mo Salah’s contract extension
Mohamed Salah deal can help Liverpool convince talent to stay
Whilst Slot stopped short of giving a definitive statement on his future, it is possible to infer that talks are moving in the right direction from his praise of the Holland international.
The Liverpool manager also believes that Salah’s new contract can play an important role in convincing existing players, and potential new signings, that the club is moving in the right direction and has ambitious plans for the future.
Slot continued: “I think it’s important because I’m 100 per cent sure that our fans love to see him extending, so it gives a positive vibe to the club. Maybe a positive vibe we might not even need, but it’s always good to have positive vibes instead of negative vibes.
“On the other hand, Mo performed so well, the club performed so well with you guys only talking about their contracts. But I think it’s only positive because if you want to sign new players or players that want to extend here.
“I’s always positive to see that one of our star players over the last seven or eight years have made the choice to extend this contract. It also shows maybe how ambitious this club is.
“Not only Mo but also the owners and the ones that came in last season, that we are really ambitious to keep performing the way this club has performed for so many years now.”
