UNCERTAIN FUTURE BUT TRIO THRIVING

Reds' Salah, van Dijk and Trent upbeat despite contract impasse

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LOArne Slot can seemingly do no wrong as Liverpool manager, but uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold is casting a shadow over a spectacular season.

The Reds head into their heavyweight Champions League home clash against Real Madrid on Nov 27 top of the table in Europe, and eight points clear in the English Premier League thanks to a near-flawless start under new boss Slot.

The Dutchman has won 16 of his 18 matches to make light of a predicted hangover after Jurgen Klopp's emotional farewell at the end of last season.

Salah, 32, has spearheaded the flying start with 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

Yet the Egyptian forward further fuelled talk over where he will be next season, after scoring twice to beat Southampton 3-2 on Nov 24, saying he is "more out than in".

Salah, captain van Dijk, 33, and home-grown hero Alexander-Arnold, 26, are out of contract at the end of the season and can begin speaking to foreign clubs in just over a month's time.