Liverpool boss insists contract situations are not a ‘distraction’

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·7. Januar 2025

Liverpool boss insists contract situations are not a ‘distraction’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is adamant that the contract situations surround three of his key players are not a “distraction” as they fight for trophies on all fronts.

Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and captain Virgil van Dijk have all entered the final few months of their current deals and could leave Anfield for nothing in the summer.

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Speculation over the trio’s futures has mounted in recent weeks, particularly after Liverpool were held to a 2-2 at home by Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham Hotspur, Slot says he does not believe the predicament has any bearing on the team’s performances.

Read – Mo Salah hits back at Carragher with ‘obsessed’ remark

Liverpool contract situations are not a ‘distraction’

“If Mohamed Salah misses a penalty against Real Madrid he’s distracted by his ‘contract situation’,” the Dutchman said in his pre-match press conference.

“If Trent doesn’t play well he’s distracted by his ‘contract situation’. If everybody plays well, nobody is distracted by their ‘contract distraction’. Nine times out of 10, [results are] down to how well the other team plays.”

Alexander-Arnold, who was heavily criticised for his performance against United, was the subject of a £20 million transfer bid from Real Madrid last week, which the Reds rejected.

Salah has said that this is likely his “last season” at Liverpool, claiming there has been no progress made in contract negotiations. On Monday the winger posted a cryptic photo of himself, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk from the United game with no caption.

“I talk with my players, if there’s anything worrying them they share it with me,” Slot said. “What I have shared with the players is what we have done against Manchester United, and what we are doing well against Manchester United.

“That is what we are focused on. I am not focused on social media posts or what people are saying. If you do that as Liverpool manager you will have no life, because people are always talking about us.”

Read – Liverpool boss Slot defenders under-fire Alexander-Arnold