Liverpool boss Arne Slot has insisted that he will only talk about new contracts with sporting director Richard Hughes and not in public. The Reds are yet to agree new deals for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who are arguably their most important assets.
All three players will be out of contract at the end of the season as things stand. If they are not tied down before the turn of the year, they will be free to sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from the start of January.
Asked if he wanted Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah to remain at Liverpool beyond the end of the campaign, he said: "It would be strange if I had no input. I am a head coach now, no longer the manager.
"Sometimes that's convenient, so talk about contracts with someone else. I'm one of [the people involved in talks] but I should not talk about it in public. I speak about it with Richard and not in front of you guys with a microphone."
Slot was pushed for an update in Friday's press conference but made it clear that he would not be drawn into speaking about contracts. He insisted that his conversations with Hughes should remain private until there is something for the club to announce
Alexander-Arnold continues to be linked with Real Madrid, who are thought to have a long-standing interest in his signature. Salah, meanwhile, has been tipped to make a big-money move to Saudi Arabia ahead of next season.
Van Dijk has also been the subject of intense speculation regarding a potential Anfield exit. In the summer, he refused to confirm whether his future would be at Liverpool given the uncertainty around his contract situation.
Earlier this month, Slot confirmed that all three players were in talks over new deals. He said: "At the moment, all three of them are in a good place. They all perform really, really, really well.
"There are ongoing discussions between what Virgil said, the people he had to talk with. And that’s not me, as you know. I talk to him about other things. Let’s wait and see.
"I think all that he says is completely right as he doesn’t exactly know what his future brings as long as he hasn’t signed the contract."
Players in the final year of their existing deals will be able to sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs at the turn of the year. It means Liverpool only have a few weeks to get things sorted before they could potentially lose the England international
Liverpool have only ever had one of their players win the Ballon d'Or, with Michael Owen achieving the feat back in 2001. Since then, several Real Madrid players have won it with Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema all lifting the prestigious trophy
Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed his dream of winning one specific trophy in a hint that he would be open to joining Real Madrid. The 26-year-old is coming to the end of his contract at Liverpool and is yet to sign fresh terms, meaning he could leave on a free transfer next summer
Alexander-Arnold has won every available trophy during his time at Liverpool but has his sights set on claiming the ultimate individual honour. He wants to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d'Or and is confident in his ability to do it.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the Liverpool defender said: "My main target? I'd say to win a Ballon d'Or, because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it."
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the Liverpool defender said: "My main target? I'd say to win a Ballon d'Or, because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it."
Tyrone Mings, who made a huge error in picking up the ball inside the area to give away a penalty, will likely drop out for Pau Torres.
It suggests that Alexander-Arnold could increase his chances of Ballon d'Or glory by joining the Spanish giants at the end of the season. If he does not sign a new deal at Liverpool before January, there will be nothing to stop him agreeing a future move to the Bernabeu.
It suggests that Alexander-Arnold could increase his chances of Ballon d'Or glory by joining the Spanish giants at the end of the season. If he does not sign a new deal at Liverpool before January, there will be nothing to stop him agreeing a future move to the Bernabeu.
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