'It's up to them' - Arne Slot addresses Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool contracts

Arne Slot has offered an insight into the role he has to play in the futures of Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The trio are now into the final 12 months of their contracts.

That means they could leave the club for free next summer if fresh deals are not agreed.

That would seem unthinkable given their achievements at Liverpool - where they have won every major trophy available to them - and given the important roles they continue to play for the team.

And, in an exclusive interview with Anfield legend Jamie Carragher for Sky Sports, new Reds head coach Arne Slot was asked the part he would play in getting captain Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold to sign new contracts.

Slot said: “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.

“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.”

Alexander-Arnold and Salah combined to set up Diogo Jota to open the scoring in last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Ipswich Town before the latter doubled the advantage.

Liverpool play their first Premier League home match of the season today against Brentford (4.30pm), which is live on Sky Sports.