After 16 games, Liverpool could not have wished to make a better start to their season.

The Reds have been flying in all competitions, losing only once across and winning 14 times.

Having only joined the club in June, Arne Slot deserves immense credit for the way he has handled the step up from Feyenoord.

In short, Slot has made things look easy and the Liverpool owners and recruitment team should afford themselves a pat on the back for getting his appointment spot on.

Gabriel Heinze was so angry Man United wouldnand#8217;t grant Liverpool transfer the lawyers got involved as saga turned ugly	Liverpool’s January transfer spending through the years including Andy Carroll and Virgil van Dijk deals	How Arne Slot’s first seven months as Liverpool head coach compare to Jurgen Klopp’s

However, if they’ve earned their corn where the Liverpool head coach is concerned, the Reds owners have dropped the ball massively in terms of contracts for Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

As the clock ticks down on Liverpool’s world-class trio, Slot has once again been the man having to face up to the press and answer their questions on the matter.

Sporting director Richard Hughes also deserves some leeway in that respect.

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Nevertheless, it’s Slot and Hughes’ problem to solve now.

Given that he holds the title of ‘head coach’, it has been suggested that Slot would perhaps have no input into whether contracts will be given out or not.

But speaking in his pre-Aston Villa press conference on Friday, the boss said that that is not the case.

He is very much involved.

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“It would be strange if I had no input!” Slot laughed.

“Although I’m a head coach now and sometimes that’s convenient to say ‘I’m a head coach, I’m no longer a manager so talk about contracts with someone else!’

“No, I think in general, contract situations are talked about by people who should talk about it.

Slot did not have the look of a worried man as he discussed the situations of three of his star men.

It’s also clear that the 46-year-old would very much like to keep all of them if there is a chance to.

Between them, Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold have started every single Premier League and Champions League game so far this season.

Virgil van DijkMohamed SalahTrent Alexander-ArnoldAppearances141614Goals290Assists192Minutes played1,2601,2571,167

Slot has leant heavily on all three players and they make up three of the top four players with the most minutes this season.