Arne Slot comments on new contracts as worst-case Liverpool scenario lingers

Arne Slot has been speaking to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, addressing the contract situation currently lingering at the club.

Aside from no additions to the first-team squad, the other major story surrounding the Reds this summer is Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold all entering the final year of their respective deals on Merseyside.

And the worry for Liverpool supporters, as things currently stand, is the trio - who are attracting interest from elsewhere - will be able to speak to potential suitors and sign pre-contract agreements from January 2025.

Whilst a departure before the current transfer window closes for any of the aforementioned superstars, is highly unlikely, the idea of them all leaving next summer on a free is very much the worst-case scenario given their importance to the club.

READ MORE: Liverpool faces HUGE battle to keep star amid Saudi interest

Slot on Liverpool contracts

However, for Slot, he can only focus on ensuring he gets the best out of the trio on the pitch, effectively conceding it won't be his decision as to whether new contracts will be offered.

"The only thing I have to do - what I do with all of them - is to bring the best out of them, and if we bring the best out of them, and they perform really well, then it’s up to them if they want to sign, it’s up to the club and us if we give them a new contract," the Dutchman said in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.

"But the best thing for all of them is, if you’re out of contract or not, get the best performances as possible, and the areas where I should and will help them together with my staff, to bring the best out of them, and until now, it’s nothing but positive.

"Mo came back really strong in terms of physique, Virgil came back really strong, Trent did the same, and they brought in good performances against Ipswich, which was only the first game, like all the others.

"We’re trying to get the best out of them, and my main focus is on Brentford and not on contract extensions, but we will see how it works out."

Given that FSG (Fenway Sports Group) have been reluctant to offer contracts to players over the age the 30, this stance raises concerns over the futures of van Dijk and Salah in particular and both are being linked with lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia.

As for Alexander-Arnold, links to Real Madrid have been rampant all summer, although recent reports have suggested that whilst a new contract for the full-back is a high priority for the club, they are said to be calm over the 25-year-old's future.