Reaction from Arne Slot – Liverpool boss about West Ham bankruptcy, contracts for Alexander-Arnold, Salah, Van Dijk

Arne Slot’s reaction to Liverpool’s stunning win at West Ham United on Sunday should make good reading for Reds fans.

Neither Slot nor his new club’s fans expected that with one game on the field they would be holding an eight-point lead in the table at the start of the new year.

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After all, Slot took over the reins from a charismatic club legend like Jürgen Klopp, and bumps along the way were to be expected at Anfield.

Instead, almost everyone else has experienced the bumps, and Slot has enjoyed watching club megastar Mohamed Salah continue to rewrite the record book.

Salah scored one goal and assisted two more in the five-goal win as the Egyptian now sits alone in 10th place for all-time Premier League assists – overtaking David Beckham. Salah leads the division in both goals and assists this season.

The only bad news for Slot is the continued questions surrounding the futures of Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the last of which reportedly concerns the future ready for a move to Real Madrid in summer.

Reaction from Arne Slot – How did Liverpool coach react to the stunning win at West Ham?

To win: “The way we played with the ball, the number of chances we created and the control we had in an away game, which is always difficult. I don’t think we gave the West Ham fans much to cheer about today and that was the most important thing.”

About Arne Slots 2024: “It was a great year working at a great club in Feyenoord. I was wondering if there was another club I could have a better time with. It’s probably not that good, it’s better now. There is something special about doing this in another country. A whole year with just one defeat is special and it’s Nottingham Forest.”

The key to a title challenge: “Consistently, there will be enough challenges coming our way, starting with Man United at home, which is a big game even if you don’t look at the league table. There are nine games in January plus the first of February, that’s a lot.”

On Joe Gomez’s injury: “We all know it’s a hamstring problem and we all know it’s going to take a while to get him back. I don’t know how long he’ll be out, but quite a long time.”

Will January 1 change the mood in Liverpool when Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold can talk to other teams: “Not on the inside, but people on the outside will talk about it more. Not just these three, it is also a month when people can make remittances. It’s about those we could bring in or others who could also leave.”

Is Alexander-Arnold’s situation more negative than that of Salah and Van Dijk? “I don’t think it’s negative. He played really well and the way he celebrated his goal says enough. I’m really happy with Trent, just as happy as I was with Mo and Virgil.”