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Liverpool are currently the best club in Europe. The Reds have been in blistering form under Dutch coach Arne Slot, comfortably occupying the summit of the English Premier League, while also leading the 36-team European Champions League table and reaching the semifinals of the Carabao Cup.

By all accounts, it’s been a massive team effort to hand Slot this impressive start to life in Merseyside. From goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, who deputised diligently during the injury-enforced absence of regular shotstopper Alisson Becker, to captain fantastic Virgil van Dijk, who marshalled the defence with aplomb. 

Even forward Luis Díaz has been integral, as have central midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. But the true star of Liverpool’s magical show so far this season has undoubtedly been winger Mohamed Salah. 

Salah show

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on 26 December 2024. Alexander-Arnold has reportedly told Liverpool bosses that he wants to join European champions Real Madrid as a free agent when his contract is up. (Photo: Chris Brunskill / Fantasista / Getty Images)

Everything the Egyptian has touched so far this season has turned to goals. In 26 matches across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, Salah now has 20 goals and 17 assists. In the 2024 calendar year, Salah has managed 52 goal involvements, with 29 goals and 23 assists. The latter stat is a Premier League record for Liverpool. 

His latest statement on his quality came during Liverpool’s 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United to end 2024, with the 32-year-old providing two assists and scoring one himself as he effortlessly glided all over the pitch, pulling the strings. 

“Mo and the word extraordinary is something I’ve heard a lot in the last six months. He truly deserves this and probably for the eight years [he’s been here]. But I’ve only been involved in the last half year,” Liverpool coach Slot said after the West Ham win. 

“He’s not surprising us, because we know what a player he is and we know he is able to do. We can only hope he can keep bringing these performances in. But I would like to add that if he scores, there’s also a lead-up to him scoring. 

“There are also other players that bring him into these positions. But if you bring Mo in these positions, he is extraordinary. Definitely,” Slot added. 

Salah has scored 20 or more goals in all competitions in all eight of his seasons with Liverpool. In the Premier League era, which began in 1992, only Englishmen Alan Shearer (10 times) and Harry Kane (nine times) have had more 20-plus goal campaigns than the Egyptian.

“If you look at Mo and his numbers, you can’t argue [against him being the best player in the world currently]. There are a lot of players out there with a lot of quality, but he is up there. He’s in a very good place; let’s hope he can stay like this for a long time,” Slot said.  

Uncertain future

Liverpool skipper Virgil Van Dijk during the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on 22 December 2024. Van Dijk is also into the last few months of his contract with Liverpool. (Photo: Alex Pantling / Getty Images)

Despite his exceptional season so far, Salah’s contractual situation at Liverpool remains unclear. The Egyptian, who joined Liverpool in 2017 from Italian outfit Roma, can begin negotiating a pre-contract with teams outside the Premier League. This as his contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the current season. 

In November Salah said he felt he was “more out than in” at Liverpool, despite his desire to stay. The 32-year-old attacker expressed his disappointment with Liverpool hierarchy for dragging their feet in offering him a fresh deal. Salah touched on his contract situation once more after the West Ham match, saying: “No, we are far away from that and I don’t want to put anything in the media.”

Salah said the most important thing at this point is that the Reds maintain their momentum, and that everything else is just noise. 

“The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that,” he said. “I will do my best for the team to win the trophy. There are a few other teams catching up to us… We need to stay focused and humble.”

A few days ago, Spanish publication Marca reported that Salah’s clubmate Trent Alexander-Arnold has told Liverpool that he wants to join European champions Real Madrid as a free agent. Alexander-Arnold’s contract is also up at the end of season.

The right-back joined Liverpool as a young boy, before rising up the ranks and eventually making his senior debut in 2016.

Liverpool skipper Van Dijk is also into the last few months of his contract. But, compared to his two teammates, it seems he is closer to signing a new deal. Slot says the constant focus on the trio’s future would only become a concern for him if it started affecting the team directly.

“I have control, to a certain extent, over them from what I expect from them on the pitch. And I’m really pleased to see what Virgil brings, what Trent brings and what Mo brings,” Slot said. DM

Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-30-salah-playing-best-soccer-of-career-despite-uncertain-liverpool-future/

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AC Milan on Monday named ex Porto
tactician Sergio Conceicao as coach after sacking fellow
Portuguese Paulo Fonseca after a 1-1 draw with AS Roma at the
San Siro left the Rossoneri eighth in Serie A on 27 points, 14
behind joint leaders Atalanta and Napoli.

   
Conceicao, 50, has also managed Braga, Vitória de Guimarães and
Nantes, among other clubs.

   
He earlier played as a winger for Lazio, Parma and Inter, among
other clubs.

   
Overall, Conceicao played for ten teams in five countries.

   
After gaining international recognition with Porto he switched
to Italy, winning domestic and European honours at Lazio.

   
He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 97 games and 13 goals over
four seasons, adding 136 matches and 13 goals in Serie A.

   
Having won 56 caps for Portugal, he represented the nation at
Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals of
the former.

   
In 2012, Conceição started working as a manager, leading five
teams in his nation’s top flight and Nantes in Ligue 1.

   
He set the record for most games as manager of Porto, winning 11
honours including three league titles and the double in 2019-20
and 2021-22.

   
Milan said on its website: “AC Milan announces that Sérgio Paulo
Marceneiro da Conceição has been appointed as the Head Coach of
the men’s First Team until 30 June 2026.

   
“The Club extends a warm welcome to Sérgio and his staff,
wishing a journey full of success and fulfillment.”
The Rossoneri earlier thanked 51-year-old Fonseca, former
manager of Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma and Lille, for his “great
professionalism”.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA

Source: https://ansabrasil.com.br/english/news/sports/2024/12/30/soccer-conceicao-takes-over-at-milan_e14450c4-0cae-4def-a8a5-c2553d41107a.html

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Source: https://thesportstak.com/football/story/from-real-madrid-lamine-yamal-to-cristiano-ronaldo-who-won-the-globe-soccer-awards-2024-know-full-list-of-winners-and-rankings-3153150-2024-12-30

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Liverpool’s transfer movements will focus on their ability to keep a star trio while Manchester United are on the hunt for defensive reinforcements. Join us for the latest transfer news, gossip, and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Salah ‘far away’ from new deal with Liverpool
– Pep: No chance of City title despite victory ‘relief’
– Ange: Depleted Spurs had to use injured Dragusin

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are all out of contract at the end of the season, but Teamtalk reports the Reds are targeting Alphonso Davies and Jeremie Frimpong in the summer. Bayern Munich full-back Davies is a target for Real Madrid too, but the 24-year-old Canadian could be the ideal replacement for Alexander-Arnold, should the 26-year-old Liverpudlian depart for Madrid as rumoured. Davies’ contract comes to an end next summer, and he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from Jan. 1. Frimpong, 24, is contracted to Bayer Leverkusen until 2028 and is also a target for Manchester City. However, Liverpool see the Dutchman as the perfect long-term replacement for Andrew Robertson.

– Manchester United could begin the January transfer window by making bids for Fulham defender Antonee Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, according to the Mirror and Mail respectively. Left-back Robinson, 27, is highly coveted by Liverpool among others, but he could fill a real problem position for United boss Ruben Amorim. Robinson added another assist to his growing collection on Sunday during Fulham’s 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth, and his attacking capabilities could be well suited to Amorim’s style, particularly given Luke Shaw’s ongoing injury problems. Verbruggen, 22, is Brighton’s first-choice goalkeeper, and United’s pursuit suggests Amorim is growing impatient with André Onana. Verbruggen would be available for £30m. United are also considering Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens.

PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, but today Footmercato report that Chelsea are the latest side to express interest in landing the 26-year-old. They believe the Blues will contact the Ligue 1 league leaders in the next couple of days to find out whether or not a deal is feasible, with PSG said to favour a loan move with an option to buy. Chelsea are keen to bolster their attacking options, but AS Monaco, RB Leipzig, Manchester United and Juventus are also interested.

– Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is desperate for reinforcements in January given his side’s lengthy injury list, and while Ekrem Konur [for Caught Offside] believes Spurs will battle Arsenal for Tyrick Mitchell, the Sun also reports they’re preparing a bid for Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson. 25-year-old Mitchell plays on the left side of defence for Crystal Palace, and would strengthen both north London clubs. Goalkeeper Patterson, 24, is seen as a viable option to replace Fraser Forster, who’s currently covering for the injured Guglielmo Vicario.

– Newcastle United are hoping to sign Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer in the summer, according to the Sun. The 27 year old’s contract in Merseyside ends in the summer and Newcastle are happy to wait to avoid a sizable fee in January. The Toffees striker has turned down bids from other clubs, including Fiorentina, to stay in England. Newcastle are also said to be targeting 20-year-old Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, reports the Mirror.

– Juventus are set to beat Newcastle to the signing of Benfica defender António Silva, according to the Mirror. “He wants Juve and Juve wants him,” says Jorge Mendes, the 21-year-old centre-back’s agent. Newcastle had been tracking the Portuguese defender for 18 months, but the financial logistics have seemingly proved too problematic, with the Bianconeri set to swoop instead.

– Former FC Porto boss Sérgio Conceição is widely expected to replace AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca, reports Footmercato. 51-year-old Fonseca is yet to be told of his departure, but the Rossoneri‘s 1-1 draw with Roma on Sunday looks set to be his last act in the San Siro hot seat.

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42880427/transfer-rumors-news-star-liverpool-trio-dictate-transfer-movements

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Saudi Arabia secures 2034 FIFA World Cup hosting rights, marking a major step in its Vision 2030 plan to become a global sports powerhouse; Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr signing was just a prestigious first step in a much larger plan

Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1b6qeji1g

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Mohamed Salah said he is still “far away” from resolving his future at Liverpool after scoring once and creating two more goals in a 5-0 win at West Ham that moved Arne Slot’s team eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Salah, 32, can open negotiations with non-English clubs from this Wednesday (Jan 1) about a free agent transfer at the end of the season with his existing contract due to expire on June 30.

Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also enter the final six months of their Anfield contracts this week. But despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his contract beyond next summer, Salah said his focus is on winning the title with Liverpool and that he is no closer to agreeing a new deal.

“No we are far away from that [contract] and I don’t want to put anything in the media,” Salah told Sky Sports. “The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that.

“I will do my best for the team to win the trophy. There is a few other teams catching up with us and we need to stay focused and humble and go again.

“I am just trying to enjoy the game. At the end of the day I came here for the result and I wanted to do something in the game, but I am almost hungry for more.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he is unconcerned about the three senior players being able to talk to overseas clubs from Jan 1, saying that he believes he still has come control over their destiny.

“I think I have a lot of control over what they do,” Slot said. “If they’re on a training pitch, if they’re in a meeting with me, but talking about the private lives, I don’t have control about them.

“So that was the situation I have a year ago. There’s been a situation as long as I’m a manager, but I have control to a certain extent over them from what I expect from them on the pitch and I’m really pleased to see what Virgil brings, what Trent brings and what Mo brings.

“Now the positive thing for me is that for four or five months it was only Trent Mo and Virgil, what you guys were talking about.

“And I assume, and don’t let me down please, that people now are going to talk about how many players we are going to bring in the upcoming month and which other player is going to leave. So I get some other questions as well. Not only about these!”

When asked if Liverpool had any plans for January, however, Slot said he is happy with the squad at his disposal.

“I said this six months ago and everybody goes, “Is this guy crazy?” Slot said. “But I think the players showed that the confidence the club and me as well had in them was well deserved.”

Slot, meanwhile, described Salah as extraordinary after the 32-year-old registered his 17th leaguer goal and 13th assist in the win at West Ham.

“The word extraordinary is something I’ve heard a lot in the last six months and he truly deserves this and probably in the last eight years too,” Slot said. “But I’m involved in the last half years, so yeah, I don’t think he keeps surprising us.

“We know what a player he is and we know he’s able to do so, but apart from that, he works really hard for the team also when the other team has the ball and yeah, we can only hope that he can keep bringing these performances in.

“But I would like to add that if he scores, there’s also a lead up to him scoring. So there are also other players that bring him in these positions, but if you bring Mo in these positions, he’s extraordinary. Definitely.”

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43211551/liverpool-mohamed-salah-far-away-new-contract

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