Liverpool’s old guard thriving despite uncertain futures

LONDON – Arne Slot can seemingly do no wrong as Liverpool manager, but uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold is casting a shadow over a spectacular season.

The Reds head into their heavyweight Champions League home clash against Real Madrid on Nov 27 top of the table in Europe, and eight points clear in the English Premier League thanks to a near flawless start under new boss Slot.

The Dutchman has won 16 of his 18 matches to make light of a predicted hangover after Jurgen Klopp’s emotional farewell at the end of last season.

Salah, 32, has spearheaded the flying start with 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

Yet the Egyptian forward further fuelled talk over where he will be next season, after scoring twice to beat Southampton 3-2 on Nov 24, saying he is “more out than in”.

Salah, captain van Dijk, 33, and home-grown hero Alexander-Arnold, 26, are out of contract at the end of the season and can begin speaking to foreign clubs in just over a month’s time.

Van Dijk had revealed in October that he has started talks about extending his deal, but there has been no firm update since then.

Alexander-Arnold could be facing his future employers in midweek, with Real understood to be keen on making him their next big-name signing to arrive for free.

But rather than destabilising Slot’s start to life at Anfield, the chance for potentially one last shot at glory has galvanised Liverpool’s old guard.

“I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well,” said Salah.

“You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future.”

Asked about Salah’s comments during their pre-match press conference on Nov 26, Slot said, “If I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out”, adding that neither him nor his teammates are distracted.

Salah is among those who have a score to settle with the Spanish giants, who have won the competition 15 times compared with Liverpool’s tally of six.

Liverpool have failed to win in their past eight meetings with Real, including two Champions League finals, in 2018 and 2022.

Salah was forced off with his arm in a sling after being wrestled to the ground by Sergio Ramos in the 2018 final and denied several times by the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois in Paris four years later.

This time, Liverpool appear primed to exact their revenge against a Real side beset by injuries and struggling to find the right balance since the arrival of French superstar Kylian Mbappe.

A hamstring injury to Vinicius Jr has added to coach Carlo Ancelotti’s woes, with defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao ruled out for the season.

The European champions are also desperate for the points after losing two of their four games so far, while Liverpool have a perfect return of 12 points.

Real’s visit may not even be the biggest game at Anfield this week for the hosts, as struggling Premier League champions Manchester City are next up on Dec 1 with the chance for Slot’s men to land a stinging blow in the title race.

Yet there is a thirst on Merseyside for their new manager to do what Klopp failed to achieve in six matches against Real and get one over the Spanish superstars.

“We indeed have incredible fixtures coming up,” said Slot, on facing Real and City over five days.

“They are two teams who have dominated football the last few years. So two big games and that’s why we needed to win (against Southampton) and that is what I am happy about.”

With an uncertain future, Liverpool are thriving off living in the moment. AFP