The Liverpool head coach has spoken about contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold
Arne Slot admits he can understand Liverpool fans who are concerned about the prospect of losing Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold on free transfers next summer. All three have starred for the Premier League leaders so far this term but can speak to clubs outside of England about a pre-contract agreement from January 1.
Alexander-Arnold has been repeatedly linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent weeks, speculation which ramped up in Spain during the international break.
Salah claimed after the 3-0 win at Manchester United at the start of September that he had yet to be approached by the club over new terms, while captain Van Dijk said there was no update to give in his own situation after the friendly win over Sevilla at Anfield in early August.
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Slot says fans have a right to be feel uneasy about the situation but thinks the performances of all three have shown how committed they remain to the Anfield cause in a chat with Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s visit from Chelsea at Anfield.
Slot said: “Maybe even if you know the full picture I can understand that Liverpool fans feels the anxiety because all three have been really important for us for years and still this year.
“On the other hand I would focus on what I see [which is] that these players still bring out the best possible performances. So maybe we are in a good place.
“We would have been in a far worse place if they had the same contract situation and were not playing good anymore and everyone would say it is all about the contract situation.
“But at this moment I am very, very happy with what they are doing and that’s my main concern more than the long-term concern about next year.”