'More IN than out!' - Liverpool boss Arne Slot responds to Mohamed Salah's contract ultimatum after Egyptian king revealed he is closer to leaving Anfield than staying

Salah's current deal is set to expire next summer, and his future has been the subject of intense debate. Speaking after Liverpool's thrilling 3-2 victory against Southampton, the forward admitted he had yet to receive a formal contract offer from the club and is "more out than in", which has fuelled the possibility of the AFCON winner departing Merseyside at the end of the season.

Liverpool head coach Slot has responded to Salah’s remarks with measured optimism as he downplayed the Egyptian’s statement, emphasising he remains integral to his plans.

"Indeed, people tell me about it (Salah’s interview). I’ve said many times that I don’t share anything here," he told reporters on Tuesday. "The only thing I can say is that when I look at my lineups, Mo is more in than out."

Slot dismissed concerns that the speculation is affecting the squad, stating that discussions about Salah’s contract were confined to external chatter.

"We want his numbers to be where they are at the moment. I don’t think he’s distracted at all, I didn’t see it after United game… didn’t see anything today. Just fully focused. I think it’s things the fans and media talk about, which is normal. But if you had been at the AXA (training centre) today, I don’t think any player talked about it."

Liverpool face a challenging decision regarding Salah's future. While his performances this season remain stellar, handing a long-term, lucrative contract to a player who will turn 33 in June could be a gamble. The club has historically been cautious about committing to ageing players on high wages, preferring to balance financial prudence with squad stability.

For Slot, the Salah contract saga presents an early test of his leadership at Liverpool. The Dutchman has enjoyed a strong start to his era, and managing this situation without allowing it to overshadow the team’s progress will be critical. Nonetheless, the head coach will hope that Salah continues to fire on all cylinders and inspire Liverpool to another victory when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday at Anfield.