'Up to them' – Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold & Virgil van Dijk see contract plan mapped out by new Liverpool boss Arne Slot as superstar Reds trio head towards free agency

Slot is not overly stressed that his three star players - Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk - have entered the final 12 months of their respective contracts at Liverpool. It would appear to be a slightly disconcerting position for the new Reds boss, especially considering the rumours linking Salah to Saudi Arabia and Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, but he is more focused on getting the trio to perform well on the pitch.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad reportedly made an offer to Salah worth £65 million (€77m/$86m) last year, while Alexander-Arnold has been tipped to make £500,000-a-week at Real Madrid. Van Dijk would not be short of eye-watering proposals, either. Convincing the three to sign extensions would prevent the disastrous scenario of watching them leave for free. However, Slot knows the decision ultimately lies with them and that his role is to get the best out of them for the club's benefit.

"The only thing I can do is get the best out of them," the Dutch coach told Jamie Carragher and Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool's meeting with Brentford. "If we bring the best out of them and they perform really well then it's up to them if they want to sign and us if we give them a new contract. The main thing for all of them, if you're out of contract or not, is to get the best performance as possible and there is where I should and will help them with my staff, to bring out the best of them. Until now it's been nothing but positive.

"Mo came back really strong in terms of physique, Virgil as well, Trent did the same and they brought in good performances against Ipswich which was only the first game. My main focus is on Brentford and not on contract extensions."

Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk will feature for the Reds when they take on Thomas Frank's Brentford on Sunday afternoon. Slot can expect to receive a warm reception before his first competitive match at Anfield.