Transfer Centre

Liverpool star hints at Anfield stay after Arne Slot appointment

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 21 May 2024

One of Liverpool's star players drops a major hint to suggest that he could stay at Anfield for another season following the appointment of Arne Slot as the club's new head coach.

One of Liverpool's star players has dropped a major hint to suggest that he could stay at Anfield for another season following the appointment of Arne Slot as the club's new head coach.

Just two days after taking charge of his final match as Feyenoord boss - a 4-0 home win over Excelsior in the Eredivisie - Slot was officially unveiled as Liverpool's new head coach on Monday and he will formally take up his position on June 1, subject to a work permit.

The Dutchman is the man chosen to succeed Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp, who steps down after nine hugely-successful years in charge of the Merseyside giants, winning eight trophies and 299 of his 491 games at the helm.

Although Slot has admitted that it was "not an easy decision" to bid farewell to Feyenoord, he believes that the "opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore."

The 45-year-old's arrival comes after the appointments of both Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, who have recently taken up the roles of CEO of Football and sporting director respectively and are set to have an important influence on the club's summer transfer activity.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts on March 14, 2024 © Reuters

Mohamed Salah to stay at Liverpool for 2024-25 season?

One player who has been continuously linked with an exit from Liverpool over the last 12 months is star attacker Mohamed Salah, who will soon be entering the final year of his contract.

The 31-year-old was allegedly the subject of big-money offers from Al Ittihad worth in excess of £100m last summer, but he ultimately stayed put at Anfield and went on to record 25 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.

Salah, who was recently included in Liverpool's new kit launch, now seems to have dropped his biggest hint yet to suggest that he will remain at the club for 2024-25.

Just a few hours after the announcement of Slot's appointment, Salah took to 'X' - formerly known as Twitter - to provide a message to the Liverpool supporters ahead of next season.

"We know that trophies are what count and we will do everything possible to make that happen next season. Our fans deserve it and we will fight like hell," said Salah.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their first goal on May 5, 2024 © Reuters

What does the future hold for other Liverpool stars?

Liverpool have already confirmed that Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara will leave the club upon the expiration of their contracts, while backup goalkeeper Adrian has revealed that he is planning to depart when his deal expires in June.

Salah is one of three high-profile stars that will soon be entering the final year of his contract along with club captain Virgil van Dijk and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

While it is thought that Liverpool intend to keep hold of both players and tie them down to new contracts, the Reds duo have been linked with possible summer exits - Van Dijk is allegedly wanted by Bayern Munich and Saudi second-tier club Al-Qadsiah, while Real Madrid are believed to hold an interest in Alexander-Arnold.

Caoimhin Kelleher is seemingly set to weigh up whether to continue as an understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker or make the move elsewhere to a club where he is assured of regular first-team football.

A possible exit for striker Darwin Nunez has also been mooted in recent weeks amid reported interest from Barcelona, although the La Liga giants would presumably struggle to afford the Uruguayan considering their well-documented financial issues.