Arne Slot picks out the one 'poor performance' from Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold this season… as he insists their contract uncertainty has NOT affected Liverpool

Arne Slot has addressed the contractual situations of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van and Mohamed Salah and insisted the uncertainty has not affected Liverpool’s season. 

The Dutchman’s point is bolstered by his team’s displays this term, which have seen them ascend to the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables. 

The Reds extended their lead at the top of the domestic standings to six points after a dramatic late victory over Brentford on Saturday and they have the chance to confirm their place in the last-16 of the European Cup with a positive result against Lille on Tuesday night. 

Ahead of the Anfield clash, where Slot’s men will look to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition, the Dutchman addressed the expiring deals of three of his squad’s key men and insisted – save for one performance – all displays have met the standards demanded. 

‘The situation hasn’t affected the group and in fact,’ he told Amazon Prime. ‘Only one of the players has had a poor performance this season and that was Trent vs. United. 

‘All the other games we’ve played, Virgil, Mo and Trent have always hit the standard or passed it.’

Slot insisted that the trio’s performances have not been affected by the uncertainty over their Liverpool futures

The only exception, the Dutchman claimed, was Alexander-Arnold’s display in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United earlier this month

Although the Anfield club appear to be calm about the situation, reports this week of an impending big-money offer from Saudi Arabia for Salah would not have eased concerns.

The latest rumours follow links between all three stars and clubs around Europe, most notably a £20m bid from Real Madrid for Alexander-Arnold.

Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are currently free to agree a pre-contract with foreign clubs. 

Last week, Turki Alalshikh – the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority – shared a picture of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit on his Facebook page.

According to The Sun, Alalshikh – who has also played a large role in the country’s effective takeover of boxing – has signaled Al-Hilal’s intent to land Salah in summer.

The reports claim that Saudi chiefs are willing to offer Salah the mouth-watering deal, should he decide to walk away from Merseyside.

Given the fact Salah would be able to join the club for free, upon the expiry of his Liverpool deal, it allows more funds to be available to offer him as a wage package.

Salah has dropped repeated hints over recent months that this season could be his last at Anfield, although the club and player are said to be keen to agree fresh terms – and Mail Sport reported last month how the Reds have offered him a contract.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Salah even declared that ‘this is my last year’ with Liverpool as he outlined his intention to depart with the Premier League title.

Meanwhile, back in November, Salah shocked the football world when he publicly called out the club for a lack of progress on offering him a new deal.

The forward conducted a rare interview with Mail Sport and a small group of other reporters after scoring twice in the 3-2 victory at Southampton, where he said he was ‘more out than in’.