Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot on the role he played in extending Mohamed Salah's stay: "I am part of that process but I don't think I deserve the compliment.

"First of all, it's Mo's choice and his agent's choice what he wants. And second of all, the club, FSG, Richard [Hughes] and [chief executive] Michael Edwards all put in a lot of effort for him to extend.

"Effort mostly means money! But also effort, not only money.

"But what it might tell you is that we not only want a good season this season but we also want to make a good season next season as well. And Mo is convinced that there is fair chance we are able to do so. That's a positive for us."

Liverpool

Arne Slot referenced Mohamed Salah's recent scoring record, saying no winger in football is outplaying their opponent for 90 minutes of a game.

He added that it was normal that they fail sometimes and in general Salah had a lot of impact on games.

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Mohamed Salah's stunning form had dipped slightly in recent weeks, as the spotlight was turned on his protracted contract talks with Liverpool.

After scoring in eight consecutive matches in January and February, during which time he found the net nine times, Salah then managed just three goals in his next nine appearances for club and country.

That run included a brace against bottom club Southampton and one for Egypt against Ethiopia in a World Cup qualifier.

He failed to score in both legs of Liverpool's Champions League last-16 defeat to Paris St-Germain and drew a blank in the Carabao Cup final, in which the Reds lost 2-1 against Newcastle.

Liverpool

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More from Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah: "First of all, he has always been judged as a player, which is of course what you guys should do. But I also see him as a human being. He is a humble person. He always wants to work hard and always puts a lot of effort into becoming the player he has become. And he wants to stay at that level, so he just keeps on bringing that effort every single day.

"What makes him special on the pitch, in my opinion, is that he can score goals. There are more players who can score goals, but Mo can score goals even if he is not in the best half hour or best 15 minutes and that's why he is mentally so strong as well.

"You need to be that if you want to be at the highest level every three or four days for seven or eight years. Apart from quality and physique, you need to be mentally really strong as well.

"Apart from all the other things, how mentally strong he is is probably what stands out for me."

Liverpool

Arne Slot believes it is important that Mohamed Salah has signed a new deal because it brings a more positive light on the club following months of uncertainty. He adds that it shows the ambition of the club and the owners.

The Reds head coach says if he puts himself in the position of a player that the club want to sign in the summer, it helps that the club have been able to keep a player with the quality of Salah.

Liverpool

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More from Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Virgil van Dijk's contract situation: "I think you know the answers - the boring answer as always. We talk about contracts if they are signed. In case with Mo [Salah], we are talking about it. As long as it's not signed, we are not talking about it.

"I can tell you that I am very happy with Virgil this season. He's been incredible for us - even in the last few games, where maybe there were moments were he could've done better. But if you look at the other 89 minutes, he is such an important player for us.

"Let's hope he can do the same - I just hope with Mo and he can do the same on Sunday again, being our leader again as he has always been this season, against West Ham."

Liverpool

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Despite having such a big lead at the top of the Premier League, Arne Slot says they are still always trying to achieve more - both as a team and individuals.

He adds that there is not a lot of room for improvement for Mohamed Salah and "it is clear" that he is nearing the end of his maximum ability. The Reds boss reiterates that Salah is not nearing the end of his career, but is at the max of his ability.

Liverpool

Arne Slot described this season's Premier League campaign as "one of the most difficult in the past 10 years" and is says he proud to see his Liverpool team 11 points clear. He backs this up by stating the number of English teams that are still in Europe.

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot said that he was part of the process to get Mohamed Salah to sign his new contract, but he isn't the one that deserves the credit.

He jokes that it has taken a lot of effort, which usually means "a lot of money".

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Liverpool

More from Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah's contract extension: "For the fans, it's a relief. I don't think it's a surprise for you that I knew a bit better how his contract situation went over the course of the whole season.

"Maybe for the fans, it was a pleasant surprise. But I knew for a bit longer that things were heading in the right direction.

"It's also a big compliment to [sporting director] Richard [Hughes] that he has achieved to extend Salah, who is such a great player and as a free agent, can go to any club in the world he wants to. But he has stayed at our club and that's also a compliment to Richard."

Liverpool

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Arne Slot says what makes Mohamed Salah special is that he is able to score goals even when he is not performing at his best. Adds that his mental strength is key to his success.

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah's contract extension: "Happy, of course. He has shown at this club for so many years in a row how much of a value he is for the club and the team. As like all our fans and his team-mates, we are very happy that he has extended or two more years.

"And hopefully, he can show on Sunday again [against West Ham in the Premier League] how important he has been for us all season."

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Liverpool

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Slot says he will only talk about contracts when they are signed so will not go into anything on Virgil van Dijk. He adds that he is very happy with Van Dijk who is "such an important player" for the club.

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he has known for a while that Mohamed Salah would be extending his deal but understands it is a "relief" for fans.

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he is happy that Mohamed Salah has signed a new deal. He adds that he and all of Salah's team-mates are delighted that he is staying.

More to follow.

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Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is in position, talking with the gathered journalists about the Masters golf.

We are sure he will move on to Mohamed Salah imminently.

More to follow.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

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There is a growing expectation at Liverpool that captain Virgil van Dijk will join forward Mohamed Salah in signing a new contract.

Following months of discussions, it is understood Van Dijk is extremely close to signing what would be a new two-year contract.

There is an importance to both contracts being two years in length.

The first, and most obvious, benefit to Liverpool is they get to keep two of their most important players.

But it also means they can avoid a repeat of the unsettling narrative that has clouded Arne Slot's first season as manager for at least another year.

Liverpool, barring what would be a remarkable capitulation, are set to win their 20th league title - yet the achievement has come against the backdrop of Van Dijk, Salah and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold approaching the end of their contracts.

The club's hopes of retaining Alexander-Arnold have waned in recent weeks, with the right-back in talks with Real Madrid over a free transfer in the summer.

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Mohamed Salah is also Liverpool's leading Premier League goalscorer with 182 goals in 281 games.

His remarkable hit rate can be placed into context by the record of another Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, who is in second place. Fowler played 266 matches in the Premier League for the club, scoring 128 goals.

Salah's Anfield record is also remarkable - he has 103 goals in 142 Premier League home games.