Liverpool manager Arne Slot has insisted he’s not concerned about Mohamed Salah’s future at the club, and only on ensuring he continues scoring goals.
Journalist Fred Caldeira has a short interview with the Liverpool manager today in which he discusses Salah’s future and why the Reds weren’t busy in the summer transfer window.
Salah is currently in the final year of his deal with Liverpool, with talks over a contract extension taking place behind the scenes.
At this moment in time all signs point to him leaving Anfield next summer and bringing an end to a glorious seven-year spell so far that’s seen him score 220 goals and register 96 assists in 364 games for the club.
The 32-year-old certainly hinted as much on social media following the weekend win over Brighton, insisting that whatever happens he would always remember the feeling of scoring at Anfield.
Caldeira made Slot aware of that post in his interview, but the Liverpool manager insists he’s not even thinking about Salah’s future.
“That’s not what I think about at the moment (if Salah is irreplaceable),” he said.
“The only thing that I think about is that he’s so important for us, scores important goals, works hard for the team and I’m hoping that he can enjoy that feeling (scoring at Anfield) many, many many more times. Especially if I’m here. But even if I’m not here I’m still hoping for him that he can do this many more times.
“He’s been incredible for Liverpool for the past six, seven eight years, I don’t know exactly how long he’s been here, and he’s been incredible for us this season.
“I hope he can continue doing this for the rest of the season and maybe longer to come. But that’s something up to him and the club to find the idea about the future.”
If Salah does leave next summer, it will likely mean a busy few months for Liverpool trying to find a replacement for their star man.
Many had predicted a busy summer this year as Slot arrived to replace Jurgen Klopp and would presumably look to shape the squad in his image.
Instead, Frederico Chiesa was the only arrival in a low-cost last-minute deal from Juventus, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili set to join from Valencia next year.
It meant the Reds ended the window with a €5m profit after the departures of Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, a fact that did raise eyebrows for some. Slot, though, wasn’t concerned and admits they simply didn’t need new players.
“Yeah, in the end phase of the window be brought in Frederico Chiesa which is not one of my former players, that’s correct,” he added.
“But unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to play for us a lot so it’s almost all of the same players.
“We liked what we had and still like what we have so there was no need for us to bring other players in if the players you have are good enough to play for you.”
