The National Times - Salah driven not distracted by contract deadlock, says Slot

Salah, who has scored 223 goals since joining Liverpool in 2017, is out of contract at the end of the season and expressed his disappointment at not yet receiving an offer of a new deal after netting twice in Sunday's 3-2 win at Southampton.

The 32-year-old said he was "more out than in" as things stand despite scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists this season to spearhead a stunning start to Slot's reign.

Liverpool are in first place in the Champions League ahead of the visit of holders Real Madrid on Wednesday and sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

"I don't think it distracts Mo at all. Maybe it brings even the best out of him, if you look at his performances until now," Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"I talked to Mo about what I expect from him, like I do with all the other players, and he's in a good place at the moment.

"The only thing I can say is if I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out."

Salah is one of three Liverpool stars out of contract at the end of the season, alongside captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been linked with a move to Real.

"Honestly, for us as players, it's nothing that we can really get involved in. All I can say is, you look at Mo today, you look at Mo yesterday, he's the ultimate professional," said Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.

"It goes for all three of them. Mo, Virgil and Trent, who are all in similar positions. Every one of them is so focused on the next game and training and preparing properly. They've been leaders this year, that's the way they've done it."

- Madrid's aura -

A fifth victory in five matches would edge Liverpool closer to securing direct entry to the Champions League last 16 via a top-eight finish.

But they have to overturn a horrible recent record against the Spanish giants, who are unbeaten in the last eight meetings between the clubs, including two Champions League finals in 2018 and 2022.

Struggling Premier League champions Manchester City then visit Anfield on Sunday to give Liverpool the chance to land a telling blow in the title race.

"I think Real Madrid and Manchester City dominated Europe and the league for a few years now, combined with Liverpool, because Liverpool was always up there as well, competing with these two clubs," added Slot.

"If you are Liverpool you always play big games, but these two are special because these three clubs have dominated the league in Europe for so many years recently. So that's a special week to play."

Madrid are more in need of the points after losing two of their opening four games.

Carlo Ancelotti's men, though, often save their best for when they need it most on the European stage and Slot conceded the 15-time winners have a special aura in this competition.

"If it's difficult for them, they can still win the game, which is probably one of the reasons, apart from them having so much quality, that they won this tournament a lot," he said.

L.A.Adams--TNT