Arne Slot has hinted at what comes next as Liverpool faces risk of worst possible contract situation

Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk . Three major players for Liverpool and three big contracts that are currently ticking down as things stand .

There is still time for each to be tied down to a new deal but little is being given away on that front for the time being. Even so, the questions are only going to keep on coming — especially when each of the trio are playing so well. Against Ipswich , Alexander-Arnold and Salah were the match-winners.

"The only thing I can do is get the best out of them," Arne Slot has told Jamie Carragher in an interview for Sky Sports . "If we bring the best out of them and they perform really well then it's up to them if they want to sign and us if we give them a new contract.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp issues glowing Arne Slot verdict and reveals texts with new Liverpool head coach
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Levi Colwill wanted, Piero Hincapie race, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia move

"The main thing for all of them, if you're out of contract or not, is to get the best performance possible and there is where I should and will help them with my staff, to bring out the best of them. Until now it's been nothing but positive.

"Mo came back really strong in terms of physique, Virgil as well, Trent did the same and they brought in good performances against Ipswich which was only the first game. My main focus is on Brentford and not on contract extensions."

Sooner rather than later, though, some movement will have to be made one way or another. Given the importance of each player to Liverpool, it seems a no-brainer to extend their stays — at the very least to maintain their transfer value and avoid losing them for nothing, which could be agreed by clubs abroad in just 130 days.

What Slot is saying, however, makes perfect sense. If each of the players continues to excel on the field, Liverpool's hand will further be forced. If their performances drop, there is some level of conversation to be had.

With no signs so far that any of Salah, Alexander-Arnold, or Van Dijk would not want to pen new terms or that they would prefer to leave Liverpool, that should not be the case. If the new head coach does get the best out of them, which he is doing so far, the desired outcome of any contract talks should be even simpler.

Liverpool cannot be complacent and, clearly, important work still needs to be done. All Slot has done, though, is highlight that the decision might well make itself even more obvious in the coming weeks. Liverpool will certainly hope so because that will mean its star performers excelling — even if that might complicate negotiations