Mohamed Salah demand made as Liverpool contract saga looms over Arne Slot

BBC host Pat Nevin believes that if Mohamed Salah wants to be a top priority at Liverpool and make a legitimate run for the Premier League title, the team must shift its focus toward a more aggressive, offense-first strategy with the Egyptian King at the helm.

Following Liverpool’s recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates, Nevin named the performance an essential test of the Reds’ title-winning capabilities. While Liverpool got two goals to share points, one came from defender Virgil Van Dijk, while Salah provided a late equalizer to extend their point gap to second in the table.

Liverpool relied on its solid defense, which has conceded only five goals this entire section. They are the best in the league by a two-goal differential compared to Nottingham Forest. For comparison, the relegation zone Wolverhampton Wanderers have given up a league-high 25 goals, with Ipswich Town in second with 20 goals, followed by Southhampton with 19.

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Despite being dominant, Nevin said that the team’s defensive mindset may not be good enough to contend for the top spot against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City. While agreeing that the backline is reliable, the team’s competitive edge must come from its ability to push forward, like in the days under Jurgen Klopp, creating relentless pressure on opponents.

"Just one loss so far tells a positive story. They are a solid, organized group that sparkles now and again, which could be enough for the top four. They do need Mohamed Salah to have yet another great goalscoring season and although he got the all-important equaliser, the Egyptian genius was quiet," he said.

Salah's goalscoring efforts this season have resulted in six league goals, placing him fifth in the league behind top scorer Erling Haaland, Bryan Mbeumo, Cole Palmer, Chris Wood, and Nicolas Jackson. Liverpool also ranks No. 5 as a team in total goals on the year with 17, behind Man City, Chelsea, Brentford, and Tottenham, while tied with Arsenal.

"You can stay competitive playing like this, but you do not win leagues," he continued. "Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the real reason for their success, shipping the fewest goals in the league so far by a distance." Van Dijk and Konate have been Arne Slott's preferred CB duo and have been featured in most games this season. In the tie against the Gunners, Konate was identified as Liverpool's "best player by a mile" by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool must decide regarding contract extensions, as Salah, Van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all set to expire by the end of the year. Retired Liverpool icon Steve Nicol said that the player's re-signing should be the team's top priority.

"Salah. He gets goals," said Nichol on ESPN. "I think Liverpool would survive without Trent, as much as what he does is fantastic. If you got an opportunity to sign someone who gives you 30 goals a season, you gotta take the goals."