Arne Slot has refused to comment on the ongoing speculation surrounding the future of key Liverpool trio Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, though admitted he was involved in their contract talks in at least some capacity.

All three players’ contracts expire at the end of the season, meaning they are free to discuss terms with foreign clubs from January onwards, with Real Madrid, in particular, heavily linked with a move for the England right-back Alexander-Arnold.

However, while he did acknowledge he was involved in the process, he said it was not right to talk about them in press conferences, meaning he did not give anything away ahead of Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa.

“It would be strange if I had no input but I am a head coach now, no longer a manager. In general, contract situations are talked about by the people they should be talked about by.

“I am one of them but I should not talk about this in public. I do talk about this with Richard [Hughes] and that’s the place we have to talk about it – not in front of a microphone.”

Hughes has been the Reds’ Sporting Director since the summer, and with very little transfer activity done to date, there is serious pressure on him to resolve the future of arguably the club’s three best players.

Salah, van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold look likely to start at Anfield against Villa, with Slot looking to continue his incredible start in charge against Unai Emery’s side, who are on a three-game losing run.