Liverpool star given contract hint by Arne Slot as Steven Gerrard left 'proud'

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So, with that in mind, Mirror Football has taken a look at the best from the Dutchman's chat with the media on Friday morning…Robertson contract hintSlot played down the importance of vice-captain Robertson now being the wrong side of 30 after the left-back forced his way back into the Liverpool starting XI.The 31-year-old, who had offers to leave the Reds in the summer, is out of contract at the end of the season, with his future the subject of speculation as a result.He had started the season behind summer signing Milos Kerkez in the pecking order, but won his place back for the recent victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid.Slot was full of praise for the defender ahead of the trip to Man City as he offered a hint about Robertson’s future, saying: “It’s been a while since I heard the word contract but there it is again!“He’s done really well in the last three games because he has played three games in seven days, though I took him off against Palace after 60-65 minutes. It’s so helpful for every individual if the team plays at its best, and I think that’s what we did in the last two games.“He’s been calm on the ball and done a job defensively.

But I think 32, I wouldn’t say that that is old for a football player in my opinion.”High praise for SzoboszlaiLiverpool’s return to form in the past week has coincided with Slot’s decision to restore Szoboszlai to the number 10 position.When it was put to the Reds head coach that even club legend Steven Gerrard would have been proud of the Hungarian’s performance against Real Madrid, Slot admitted he has exceeded his own high standards so far this season.He said: “That’s probably the best compliment he can get! (A performance vs Real Madrid Steven Gerrard would have been proud of).“I think he has been outstanding throughout the whole season, but these two games brought even more out of the team and out for him.“I think Dominik has a lot of qualities but one of them is also his work without the ball.

I like his work without the ball every single game but in the last two games, that was probably even above his own standards.”Wirtz plan explainedWirtz might have predominantly played at number 10 since joining Liverpool in the summer, but he impressed on the left against Real Madrid.The German has been benched for recent top-flight clashes with Everton, Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa, but caught the eye on his return to the starting XI against the La Liga giants.But while it remains to be seen if he will keep his place against Man City on Sunday, Slot played down the importance of the German’s exact starting position, instead insisting it matters more that Liverpool get the midfielder on the ball in the final third.He said: “Florian can play in more than one position. I think it’s more about getting him in the positions where he is good at than we should be so focused on is he a 10, is he an 11 or is he an eight?“I think we would like to have him in and around the 18-yard box centrally, or a bit more off the left or a bit more off the right, for him to create the amount of chances he’s already created for us.”Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.