Salah needs Liverpool to win trophies to claim Ballon d’Or — Slot

Arne Slot believes Mohamed Salah’s chances of claiming the Ballon d’Or will greatly improve if Liverpool wins a major trophy this season.

The Egyptian is one of the contenders for the individual prize having already scored 30 goals and provided 21 assists in 38 matches for Liverpool across all competitions this season.

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“I think in general someone who wins the Ballon d’Or needs to win something as well so it’s a great challenge that is in front of us and in front of him.

“What I liked a lot is that he takes this challenge – not only by scoring a big goal and a great assist against [Manchester] City but he also wanted the team to win, because his defensive work rate, especially in the second half, was outstanding.

“I think that is what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something, and if we as a team can win something, he will have a far more better chance to win an individual prize like the Ballon d’Or,” Slot told the club’s official website ahead of Wednesday’s home match with Newcastle United.

Slot was asked whether Salah’s exceptional form makes it easier or harder to extend the Egyptian’s contract, which expires at the end of this season.

“You can look it both ways. You can say, ‘The better he does, the more expensive he might become’, and if he were to do really worse we would have second thoughts if we wanted to extend his contract.

“I think for everyone it’s the best that he brings in the performances he does now. Maybe only for the one who has to pay him it’s not the best, but for everyone else it’s the best because if you want to play at this club you need to be at his level.

“He needs to have these performances for him to play here, and hopefully to extend here,” said.

Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Man City on Sunday gave them a commanding 11-point lead at the top of the table, but Slot is keen to stress that the title race is far from over.

“I don’t think it’s necessary [for me to tell the players]. These players are so long in this competition – even much longer than me – so they know how difficult every single game is and if you have to play 11 that it’s still a long way to go,” he said.

(Premier League)