- Mohamed Salah, for once, was not center stage as Liverpool beat Ipswich 4-1
- Boss Arne slot relieved not to talk about Salah contract negotiations
- Listen now: It's all starting! Why Arsenal players will laugh at Mikel Arteta behind his back
Arne Slot joked he was happy to talk about Mo Salah's defensive work rather than his contract negotiations after the Egyptian got his 23rd goal of the season – and he was on board – to help Liverpool stay top of six points with a 4-1 victory against Ipswich. Saturday.
Salah converted Liverpool's second with a curling finish into the roof of the net, but also helped win the ball back in the build-up to Cody Gakpo's final goal of the afternoon.
“It's good that he's asked about it because especially with Mo, the questions are about his contract or his goals, but now it's his defensive work rate,” he smiled in the 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 from many players and that is what you need against a team with fast wingers, with a good number 9 who goes to a low block.
'It's very difficult to control a counterattack and the only way to do it is what Mo did.' That's why I was pleased with today's performance.
Salah is out of contract at the end of the season and negotiations are so far at an impasse with the player repeatedly saying he believes it is his last season at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah scored in the win over Ipswich, but another area of his game impressed more
Slot also praised another out-of-contract star, Captain Virgil Van Dijk, in his 300th appearance for the club.
“If I have to list what Virgil brings, I'll be here until Tuesday night,” Slot said.
'He has composure and is definitely a leader.
'I haven't gotten many players with his leadership qualities, not only on the field but also on the training ground.
'He leads by example and is the strongest on the training pitch. It's 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: 'It's not good. It's very swollen.
'It was something with his knee. It was not an impact injury'
Liverpool boss Arne Slot (left) relieved not to ask about Salah contract talks
On a positive note, Jaden Philogene showed good touches in his first start following a £20m move from Aston Villa and Julio Enciso came off the bench for his Brighton loan debut, earning an immediate yellow for kicking Wataru Endo but then set 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 is in the relegation zone.