Mohamed Salah dubbed 'physical freak' as Arne Slot makes Liverpool forward prediction

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has discussed the continued impact of Mohamed Salah and why he has enjoyed his first season in charge at Anfield

At first glance, it hardly seems the most glowing of tributes. But then Mohamed Salah has made a habit of defying convention throughout his Liverpool career.

Salah's stay at Anfield will be extended by at least another two years after the Egyptian penning a new deal was confirmed on Friday.

At approaching 33 years of age, the forward has had one of the best seasons of his career having netted 32 goals and contributed 22 assists in 45 appearances so far to help Liverpool take a commanding lead at the the Premier League summit with just seven games remaining.

The work Salah puts in on maintaining his fitness, both at the AXA Training Centre and at home, has become the stuff of legend among those who follow the player's regular updates on social media.

And Liverpool boss Arne Slot is in no doubt about the unique nature of his leading goalscorer.

"He IS a physical freak," says the Dutchman. "That's why it doesn't surprise me that he is still on his levels at his age. (It's about) what he does physically, but also mentally, to stay at top of his game for a whole season, because it's very hard to do this a whole season every three days.

"That's why only one team can win the Champions League, only one team can win the league because it's so hard to do. And then to do this for seven or eight years in row is probably even harder. And he has two more to go and he will prove that he's able to do so."

Salah's new contract will give him the opportunity to close in on a number of landmarks. He needs another 42 goals to join Roger Hunt in second place the all-time Liverpool scorers list - the tally of 346 from number one marksman Ian Rush is out of reach - and is 29 off Harry Kane, who is second in the all-time Premier League standings.

"You never know if he’s going score exactly the same amount or a few more or few less, but we expect and he expects himself as well to stay at his levels," adds Slot.

"And a good thing about all this is that we didn't extend him two years ago at 31 and then say let's see how he is at 33. Now we are extending him three months before the next season starts, and I think we can all agree on the fact that Mo has had an incredible season this year. So there's every reason to expect him to be at the same level at the start of next season."

Salah will aim to end a four-game run without a goal when Liverpool entertain West Ham United on Sunday afternoon aiming to bounce back from last weekend's 3-2 loss at Fulham, which was only the Reds' second Premier League defeat of the campaign. Against just Manchester United has Salah scored more often for Liverpool than when facing the Hammers.

Slot could become only the fifth manager - after Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Conte - to win the Premier League title in his first season in English football.

And the Liverpool head coach believes there is a very good reason why he has been able to hit the ground running when taking on the onerous task of following in the footsteps of Anfield legend Jurgen Klopp.

“From the start, I felt really welcome here and really happy here in the way we can work at this club with the staff, with the players, with the facilities," he says. "It always helps if results are positive as well. That’s the X-Factor you need.

“I’m happy - but I am also aware of the fact that there’s a lot of work still to do in the upcoming seven games. But it isn’t only results. The people who work here and the fans we have is, I think, what makes this club so special.

"I know the outside world is looking at all the goals or the wins we make. But I think, that to enjoy your life on a daily basis, you need to be happy from when you drive in. That also goes from the media team, to security, to the person who prepares my food.

“That’s one of the reasons people like to be here. It’s why Jurgen stayed so long - and why Mo wants to stay here two more years despite being here for so long already.

“It’s why, in general, players, managers, people work so long at this club. There’s a great culture and a lot of nice people working here.”

Slot is likely to ring the changes against West Ham. Alisson Becker is available to return in goal while Conor Bradley, who returned from the bench last weekend after more than six weeks out with a hamstring injury, is expected to start at right-back.

Curtis Jones is pressing for a role in midfield while Luis Diaz, who scored as a substitute at Fulham, is challenging for a recall in attack.