Mohamed Salah has made Arne Slot’s biggest Liverpool test harder as brutal run sees Real Madrid clash and Merseyside derby

Liverpool are preparing for four monumental fixtures but the current noise around the club concerns matters off the pitch.

Mohamed Salah revealed on Sunday that he is yet to receive an offer to stay at Reds ahead of his current contract expiring in the summer.

“I’m probably more out than in,” the iconic winger, who has scored 223 goals for the club, admitted following their 3-2 win at Southampton.

Salah’s comments will have sparked concerns amongst a Liverpool fanbase who have adored the Egyptian star for over seven seasons.

And they have come days before Arne Slot faces his toughest run of four fixtures as their head coach following a hugely impressive spell.

Liverpool have won 16 of their 18 matches across all competitions this season but approach a series of tests that could disrupt their form.

Up first on Wednesday is a huge Champions League night at Anfield, live on talkSPORT, against Real Madrid, who have won seven of their last eight meetings.

Slot’s side have a 100 per cent record in the competition but the visit of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and co. could end this.

They return to their iconic home four days later to face Manchester City in a Premier League clash that could further boost their chances of winning this season’s title.

City are second and winless in three league matches although if recent matchups between the two are anything to go by, it may be an even closer battle.

League action resumes next Wednesday with a trip to St. James’ Park against Newcastle who are gunning for European qualification.

Finally, bitter Merseyside rivals Everton will host Liverpool in the early kick-off on December 7 in a feisty Goodison Park atmosphere.

5

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher didn’t hold back on his analysis of Salah’s comments as he called him ‘selfish’ on Monday Night Football.

“Liverpool have got Real Madrid midweek and they’ve got Manchester City at the weekend, that’s the story for Liverpool right now,” he said.

Whilst hinting Salah’s contract situation may overshadow their next four fixtures, Carragher still holds him high in his overall estimations.

He named him as the fifth greatest player in Liverpool’s history, but used Kenny Dalglish as an example of how the club won’t fall apart if an iconic player leaves.

“Kenny Dalglish, at that time Liverpool’s greatest ever player, when he stopped playing, Peter Beardsley came in and was part of probably the greatest footballing team we’ve ever seen in a red shirt in 1988.”

Ian Rush, Liverpool’s top scoring player of all time with 346 goals, played for many seasons with Dalglish and compared Salah to his former teammate.

5

5

The duo won four league titles, two European Cups, an FA Cup and four League Cups during one of the club’s most glittering periods during the 1980’s.

“He’s really special,” the Liverpool icon told talkSPORT.

“I was lucky, I had Kenny Dalglish so I’m not complaining with my partner, but Mohamed is a fantastic player. It would have been a joy to have played with him, he’s looking after my record, so you never know.

“But he always said to me that I counted my goals in training – that’s what he said to me. He’s a joy to watch and let’s watch him play and whatever happens, happens.”

He added: “For me, Kenny Dalglish is the greatest player Liverpool have ever seen, it’s something special.

“People talk about the Premier League, just the Premier League, when they talk about individuals, they just talk about the Premier League. When they talk about clubs, they talk about when they were established from 1892, so that’s what you’re looking at.

5

“But Mo Salah is, for me, the best Premier League player Liverpool have had, without doubt but for me like I say, the best player at Liverpool in opinion was Kenny Dalglish.”

That’s high praise considering the calibre of player who have graced the Anfield turf from Robbie Fowler to Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.

Some Liverpool fans may share their disappointment in Salah with Carragher and not want the club to give him what he wants to stay.

However, others will hope the club will do whatever it takes to keep their record Premier League scorer beyond this season.

“If the owners of Liverpool Football Club are listening to your show tonight, stop messing around,” one fan called Trevord told The Sports Bar on talkSPORT.

“I heard Jamie Carragher say tonight that he will be in talks, I get that, but stop messing around. Mo Salah, he’s like a modern day Ronaldo with his physique and goals, just stop it.

“Just offer him whatever he wants, give him it. I know the club will move on without him, I get that but, oh for God’s sake, just give him the contract, stop it, give him what he wants.”

Fellow Liverpool supporter, Terry added: “I don’t know why they don’t offer him a two-year deal.

“Offer him a little bit less money but increase his performance, so his assist bonus, his goal bonus, just to keep him hungry.”

With the January transfer window fast-approaching and Salah free to talk to foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement, news about his future at Liverpool won’t go quiet.

However, regardless of what happens in the coming months, the 32-year-old will always be regarded as one of the club’s best ever players.

Salah is now be tasked with helping to guide Liverpool towards more potential European trophy success, starting with Madrid at Anfield.

City, Newcastle and Everton then follow in a set of fixtures that could decide their fate in this season’s Premier League title race.