- Arne Slot’s Liverpool is flying nine points clear at the top of the league
- Mohamed Salah’s contract has been the subject of much criticism in recent weeks
- LISTEN NOW: Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan joins us It all starts! to explain whether Pep Guardiola has money to spend in January
Arne Slot has warned his players to brace for danger as he explained why Liverpool’s next two games will be tougher than their last monumental week.
Liverpool’s head coach is understandably on a high after seven wins, the last two against Real Madrid and Manchester City; His mood is so good that Slot could even make a joke about City and their legal row with the Premier League.
After scoring in the 2-0 win that put Liverpool nine points clear at the top, Salah speculated it could be his last game against City – due to his contract impasse – to which Slot said: ‘Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 accusations and expect them not to be in the Premier League!
‘The boring answer is always the same. This isn’t the place for me to talk about Mo’s contract. Maybe I’ve already said too much about the joke I just made. So that will probably make headlines. But it was a joke, I repeat, it was a joke!’
However, Slot was willing to discuss the challenge Liverpool face in Newcastle on Wednesday night before heading to Goodison Park on Saturday, two of the six away games his side must negotiate in their next nine assignments in all competitions.
This is a demanding period for Slot, who only has five defenders fit and one of them – Trent Alexander-Arnold – will not be able to play 90 minutes at either St James’ Park or the Merseyside Derby as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. hamstring problem.
Arne Slot deflected a difficult question about Mohamed Salah with a ‘joke’ aimed at Man City
Salah has made his frustration known in recent weeks by speaking about his lack of contract
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are currently facing 115 breaches of financial regulations
“We are going to have a very difficult week,” said Slot. ‘We have just fought against Real Madrid and City, but at some points it will be even more difficult, an away game against Newcastle. We’re in a good position, but we haven’t even played a third of the season yet.’
While there will be some relief in the injury situation when goalkeeper Alisson Becker returns before the end of December, many will wonder whether Liverpool will strengthen their squad when time opens. Slot has confirmed that they are investigating the possibilities, but will only move if they are sure.
“We have discussions every day, regardless of whether there is a window or not,” Slot said. ‘We always talk about the team, which players we like, which players might not be in the best position. Fortunately, we talk more about the ones that are doing well, because most of them are doing very well.
“It’s a bit worrying that three defenders are out, but the good thing is that when the window is open, the defenders are back. I often said at the start of the season: I am so happy with the team we have.
‘That does not mean that there will be an opportunity in the market, this club has always shown that it will go for it. That’s what happened with the goalkeeper (Giorgi Mamardashvili), who is not even with us yet. We felt like this was an opportunity for us to do it.
“That’s what this club is known for, what people like Richard and Michael Edwards are known for. “We are mainly focused on Newcastle, Everton and the next nine games, but it is normal that we have conversations about the squad, what we can change, yes or no, what can happen in the market.”