Arne Slot has named Trent Alexander-Arnold , Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah in his all-time Champions League XI - perhaps sending a message to Liverpool's front office amid their contractual situations .
Of course, all three Liverpool players are set to become free agents next summer with their current individual situations unclear on whether they are in talks to renew their deals - with fans worrying that all three could walk away from the club on the same day after the season.
But Slot sent a clear message on how much he appreciates the three players, naming them in his all-time team, alongside two other Liverpool players - one current and one former - while omitting names such as Zinedine Zidane, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and Paolo Maldini.
When selecting Alisson as his goalkeeper, Slot said: "Everyone would understand why I would pick Alisson, because I work with him now but he was also really important when they won the Champions League a few years ago. Since I've worked with him, I've seen how special he is and how many important saves he has already made. He's been outstanding for so many years for Liverpool and it's an easy pick."
Slot went on to add two current Liverpool defenders in Alexander-Arnold and van Dijk, telling Amazon Prime: "Trent has been so special for Liverpool for so many years. He came from the academy, winning the Champions League at this club.
"Virgil van Dijk needs to be there. He has had a lot of impact on this club. I think when he and Alisson came in, it was the last step the team needed to make. Impressive center-back, dominant in the air... he has all the attributes a center-back should have.
Arguably Liverpool's greatest-ever player, Slot added Steven Gerrard in a midfield three alongside Luke Modric and protected by former Barcelona and current Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets.
However, Slot insinuated that he probably would not have picked Gerrard had he not been Liverpool's manager. He said: "If you would have asked me this a year ago, I would probably have said Andres Iniesta... but I think now I'm going to go for Steven Gerrard. While Iniesta and Zinedine Zidane probably deserve to be in, they played with incredible teammates. Gerrard did too, but I don't think he played with the same level of players of those two... but he was still that special."
On Salah, Slot added: "It's clear that Mo Salah should be in. Eight or nine years at such a high level. In the recent history of this club, he has scored so many goals. He has been so, really special at this club."
Arne Slot's Champions League XI: Allison, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Gerard Pique, Frank de Boer, Sergio Busquets, Steven Gerrard, Luka Modric, Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
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