There was only one topic that fans wanted to hear about from Arne Slot’s press conference on Friday : the news that Mohamed Salah has signed a contract extension at Liverpool.
The Reds boss expressed his obvious delight at the announcement, hinting he was always confident a deal would be struck and claiming that Salah staying could even help Liverpool’s transfer plans this summer.
Key to that agreement being struck was the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes. The 45-year-old has come in for criticism at times this season given that Liverpool’s contract sagas – including those of Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold – had not been sorted, all while incoming transfers were scant.
But Slot praised Hughes for brokering a deal, joking that he eventually coughed up the money to keep the Egyptian. “I’m part of that process but I don’t deserve the compliments,” said the Liverpool boss, when asked what role he had in Slot. “First of all, it’s Mo’s choice and his agent’s choice and what he wants.
“Second of all, the club; FSG, Richard, Michael Edwards put a lot of effort to influence that. Effort mostly means money but also effort not only money. What it might tell you is that it’s not a good season this season but next season as well. Mo is convinced we have a fair chance of being able to do so. Again, that’s positive.”
The decision to award Salah, who turns 33 in June, a two-year deal is not in keeping with FSG’s stringent contract policy over recent years. But his form has been so impressive this season that Liverpool felt the player is worth making an exception for.
While Slot was effusive in his praise of Salah, he doesn’t expect him to reach new heights in the next two years. “We are always trying to achieve a bit more as a team and individuals. But if you are playing at Liverpool, probably you are close to coming to the maximum of your ability,” the Liverpool boss said ahead of Sunday’s game against West Ham United.
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“There is not a lot of room for improvement for Mo and the other players. I saw a quote: We are trying to reach perfection, which we will never reach, but we reach excellence on the way. That is what we are trying to get here, to get the maximum from the players, to get one or two percent extra.
“But it is clear that Mo is coming close to the end of his ability. We have brought the maximum out of his qualities this season and then it is about consistency, which is one of the most difficult things in football. That is why he is seen as such a star player.
“To play once or twice the way Mo does, I’m not saying everyone can, but most players can. To do this on such a consistent basis makes it so hard, and then I come back to the mentality part.”
