Rafael Benitez has praised Mohamed Salah for being a 'very good professional' throughout Liverpool's 2024/25 campaign despite ongoing speculation around his future at Anfield. The Egyptian's current Liverpool contract is set to expire at the end of this season, but Benitez has nevertheless been impressed with the forward's scintillating form despite the fact he still does not know where he will end up playing next season.

Forever an Anfield icon for taking the club to one of the most iconic Champions League triumphs in 2005's Istanbul final, Benitez was back in town to help provide punditry insight for TNT Sports' coverage of Liverpool vs Newcastle United, having also managed the Magpies between 2016 and 2019.

For the first time in nine matches, Salah's name was not on the scoresheet, though an assist for Alexis Mac Allister's second-half strike took the Egyptian's total goal contributions for the current season to 52. He has managed all of this whilst behind the scenes talks to stay with the club beyond the summer continue.

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"He has a special situation," the Spaniard began his glowing review. "We know about the contract but the way he is performing every week, for a manager it is great to see.

"The other day I was watching an interview, he's talking about his fitness preparing himself for the games and also mentally. You can see a player that is finishing his contract and still performing at this level is a very good professional."

Captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold similarly find themselves leaving the club this year as things stand. With a 39-year career in coaching, Benitez was able to give Arne Slot instructions on how to navigate the club's current situation.

"The first thing you have to do with them as a manager is talk to them face-to-face. If they can give you an idea, give you the truth, then you can start working with them trying to get the best for them and at the same time the best from the club.

"You know that he will leave or he will stay, then you start working on that. If you don't know all you can do is make sure the team is doing well, he's working hard, keeping this winning mentality. Then, if you are winning maybe he will decide to stay because he is winning trophies with this club.

"It depends on the player. I have confidence, with players like that you can say 'come on, here', and start talking but some players say they can't talk without their agent, so that means something. Maybe they are leaving."