Arne Slot has admitted Mo Salah's ongoing contract saga may be bringing out the best in the star- while Liverpool have been advised on his ideal successor.

The Egypt international sees his current deal at Anfield expire at the end of the season and he caused quite a stir with comments following Sunday's 3-2 win over Southampton where he scored twice to help the Reds open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

The issue dominated Liverpool's news conference ahead of Wednesday's match against Real Madrid in the Champions League, with Slot keen to play down any friction with Salah — and even suggested the situation is making the winger play as well as ever.