- Mohamed Salah, for once, was not centre stage as Liverpool beat Ipswich 4-1
- Boss Arne Slot was relieved not to be talking about Salah’s contract negotiations
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Arne Slot joked he was happy to speak about Mo Salah’s defensive work rather than his contract negotiations after the Egyptian scored his 23rd goal of the season – and tackled back – to help Liverpool stay top by six points with a 4-1 win against Ipswich on Saturday.
Salah converted Liverpool’s second with a thumping finish into the roof of the net but also helped win the ball back in the build-up for Cody Gakpo‘s final goal of the afternoon.
‘It’s nice to be asked about it because mostly about Mo, the questions are about his contract or his goals, but now it’s his defensive work-rate,’ smiled Slot.
‘I think that stood out today because we could all see the moment. If you look at almost all the times we have lost the ball, I saw a reaction off many players and that’s what you need against a team with fast wingers, with a good No 9 that goes to a low block.
‘It’s so difficult to control a counter-attack and the only way to do it is what Mo did. That’s why I was pleased with the performance today.’
Salah is out of contract at the end of the season and so far negotiations are in deadlock with the player repeatedly saying he thinks it is his last season at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah scored in the win over Ipswich but another area of his game impressed most
Slot also praised another out-of-contract star, captain Virgil van Dijk, on his 300th appearance for the club.
‘If I have to make a list what Virgil brings, I will be here until Tuesday evening,’ said Slot.
‘He has composure and is definitely a leader.
‘I haven’t managed a lot of players with his leadership qualities, not only on the pitch but also on the training ground.
‘He leads by example and is the loudest at the training ground. It is fantastic.’
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna fears winger Wes Burns may be out for a considerable time after he was carried off with a knee injury.
Burns was on crutches after the game and McKenna said: ‘He is not good. He is very swollen.
‘It was something with his knee. It wasn’t an impact injury’
Liverpool boss Arne Slot (left) was just relieved not to be asked about Salah’s contract talks
On a positive note, Jaden Philogene showed nice touches on his first start following a £20million move from Aston Villa and Julio Enciso came off the bench for his debut on loan from Brighton – getting an immediate yellow for kicking Wataru Endo but then setting up a consolation goal for Jacob Greaves.
‘I think we are going to be stronger in the second part of the season in attacking positions,’ said McKenna, whose side are in the relegation zone.
