Liverpool latest: Arne Slot makes Mohamed Salah admission as £86m replacement opens up

Arne Slot has praised Mohamed Salah's performance against Atletico Madrid following a series of "tough" matches at the start of the season. Real Madrid's Rodrygo, once considered as a potential replacement for the Egyptian at Liverpool, has also discussed his future after a summer of speculation.

Despite netting two goals in four Premier League matches this season, questions have been raised about the Reds' star winger. His two goals were a last-minute strike against Bournemouth and a penalty against Burnley. A lacklustre performance against Newcastle earlier this month was subpar by his high standards. However, Salah shone in the Champions League as Liverpool clinched a late 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid, earning praise from Slot. Transfer target Rodrygo has also commented on rumours linking him with a move to Merseyside, while Newcastle's Anthony Gordon has issued a warning to the Reds, as Express Sport brings you all the latest news from Anfield.

Slot praises Salah after 'tough' outing

Salah's goal and assist proved crucial as Liverpool secured all three points from their Wednesday evening clash with Atletico Madrid. A header from Virgil van Dijk sealed another late win.

Head coach Slot was asked about the Egyptian in his press conference ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby. While he acknowledged that the start of this campaign has been challenging at times, he affirmed that Salah remains a key player, as demonstrated in the midweek match.

"For me, when you are a great player, you still contribute to the team even when you don't play well. Not a lot of them can contribute to the team with goals and assists when they don't play, that is what stands out for Mo," said Slot.

"It is so difficult to always be the player he was against Atletico, but he still has goals and assists and that is why he is still so highly regarded and respected. A lot of players play well when the team is and not a lot can score or assist when they don't. But I prefer to see him how he was against Atletico. Newcastle, hardly ever in play with the ball, so it was tough, but Atletico was a joy to watch."

Transfer 'target' opens up about £86m rumours

Real Madrid's Brazilian sensation Rodrygo was linked with numerous Premier League sides during the summer window, including Liverpool. It had been suggested that the 24-year-old could serve as a long-term successor to Salah on the right flank.

Rodrygo remained at the Bernabeu despite an £86million valuation being placed on his services, and he has now addressed his summer of transfer speculation. He told Mundo Deportivo: "I'm used to it; every year they say I'm leaving. During the transfer window, every week I was on a different team.

"I even joked with my parents and friends: 'Look, today I'm on this one, tomorrow I'm on that one.' Every week I was on a different team, but, as I said, I was very calm mentally and it didn't affect me at all.

"I continued enjoying my vacation, training because I knew this [Real Madrid] was where I would continue. Well, in the end, I'm still at home, in the place I always dreamed of being. I'll continue giving my all every day I wear this shirt."

Anthony Gordon sends Barcelona warning

Former Everton star Gordon has issued a stark warning to Liverpool and other English clubs in the Champions League following Newcastle's defeat to Barcelona on Thursday.

The England international netted a last-gasp consolation strike as the Catalan powerhouse triumphed 2-1 at St. James' Park, with Gordon believing they will pose a formidable challenge to any team that encounters them in the competition.

"I think in ways the way they keep the ball was a learning experience. We don't play against that kind of style in England, not at that level anyway. I thought they were the best I've played against in that sense of the game," Gordon told BeIN Sports.

"We've played against some top teams, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, but the way they pass the ball, the midfielders, the way they were fluid in their movement and combining, made it really hard for us to press, and it's not easy coming here and doing that."