Liverpool boss Slot addresses Alexander-Arnold theory and responds to Salah post

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Arne Slot has emphatically brushed off the notion that contract talks could detract from his Liverpool players' focus, particularly Trent Alexander-Arnold after a lackluster performance against Manchester United.

"We were all disappointed by the way we played, and first of all the result," Slot stated during his pre-Tottenham press conference.

"That was not only Trent. He didn't play his best game but that is not the first time in his life. This wasn't his best, but it wasn't for some others as well. If you play 50-60 games in a season, sometimes you don't have your best performance."

"Maybe we should highlight more that these players are able to play so many. I got many text messages from people saying 'what a game'. Both teams trying to win. That is part of our job."

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When questioned if he had a conversation with Alexander-Arnold, Slot confirmed: "I have. It's normal. I don't share things I talk about. After every game we show them how well they did.

"Sometimes you have to show what they can improve. But I don't just do this with Trent. Look at Macca, he can sprint harder for the second goal. But they have all worked very hard, gave everything and we still got a result."

Following Mohamed Salah's intriguing social media post featuring a photograph of the trio of Liverpool players who are nearing the end of their contracts - himself, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold - Slot responded: "I talk to my players so if there is anything that worries them, they share it with me.

"I am not focused on social media posts or what is being said about us. If you do that as Liverpool manager, this is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so you have no life. People are talking about us all the time."