Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or will be significantly boosted if the club secures major silverware this season.
Salah, 32, is a frontrunner for football’s most prestigious individual award following a stellar campaign, scoring 30 goals and providing 21 assists across all competitions. However, Slot emphasized on Tuesday that team success is crucial for individual recognition.
The Dutchman stated, “It’s a good thing that Mo is in the discussion because it means he does well and it means we are doing well,”
“But for him to stay in that discussion, he should bring in the same performances as he’s done for seven or eight months now.
“And I think, in general, someone that wins the Ballon d’Or needs to win something as well, so it’s a great challenge that is in front of us, but also in front of him.”
Liverpool, who host Newcastle on Wednesday, are 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with 11 games to go but Slot said he does not fear complacency.
“We all know these players are so long in this competition, even much longer than me, so they know how difficult every single game is, and if you have to play 11, it’s still a long way to go,” he added.
Addressing Salah’s future, Slot acknowledged the forward is yet to sign a new contract beyond this season. He suggested Salah’s form could influence negotiations.
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“You can look at it in both ways,” he said. “You can say the better he does, the more expensive he might become, and if he would do really worse, we would have second thoughts if we wanted to extend his contract.
“So I think for everyone it’s the best that he brings in the performances he does now. Maybe only for the one that has to pay him it’s not the best, but for everyone else it’s the best,” he stressed.
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