Slot coy on Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold Liverpool future
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Slot reflects on Liverpool’s ‘positive start’ to the season (1:03)
Arne Slot speaks ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Wolves in the Premier League. (1:03)
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ESPN
Sep 27, 2024, 07:13 AM ET
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has remained tight-lipped on the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohammed Salah at a pregame news conference on Friday.
All three players have been crucial parts of Liverpool’s success in recent years but reach the end of their contracts next summer. When asked for updates on the trio’s futures at the club, Slot brushed off the question with a brief response.
“I’m very happy that these players are in my team at the moment,” the Liverpool manager said. “There’s a lot of games this season and in the upcoming weeks, let’s see what happens in the future.”
Slot was pleased with his team headed into their Premier League meeting at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday as the home side search for their first win of the season.
“Overall, it’s been a good start, not perfect,” he said. “Should have won against Forest … Fixture list has been good to us. Although maybe 17 or 18 games, these teams maybe come up the table. Good start, not perfect.
“I don’t think it [Wolves’ points] represents how Wolves have played. A tough fixture list, Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea … more difficult than we have had for example,” Slot said.
“[We] need to take this into account. I have seen their games and they deserved more than they got. They will be fine this season, hopefully not tomorrow.”
Slot has confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker is likely to be available for selection against Wolves after rejoining the team in training on Thursday. The Brazil international missed the victory against Bournemouth with a muscle injury.
“We think he is [ready],” the Liverpool coach said. “He trained yesterday as part of our session with the group and we’re expecting him to do the whole session today. So we think he is available, but of course we have to train today.”
“We’re really happy with Alisson being back but I want to emphasise the fact that we did really well in the two games he wasn’t involved in,” Slot added. “It’s another example of having two or even three good options in the position in goal.”
