Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has said the club have put a lot of “effort” into extending Mohamed Salah’s contract but admitted he has been confident for some time negotiations were heading in the “right direction.”

Salah was set to be out of contract this summer, but Liverpool confirmed on Friday the Egypt international has now extended his stay on Merseyside until the summer of 2027.

Discussions have been taking place for several months, with sporting director Richard Hughes overseeing negotiations with Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa.

“I’m happy, of course,” Slot said. “He’s shown at this club for so many years in a row now how much value he has for the team and for the club. We’re very happy he’s extended for two more years and hopefully he can show on Sunday [against West Ham United] how important he has been for the whole season for us.

“Relief? For the fans I think so. It’s no surprise to you I knew a bit better how the contract situation went over the course of the whole season.

“Maybe for the fans it was a pleasant surprise. I knew a bit longer things were heading in the right direction.

“It is a big compliment to Richard Hughes because Mo Salah, as a free agent, can go to any club he wants to. But he stayed at our club and that’s also a compliment for Richard.”

On the role he played in keeping Salah at Liverpool, Slot added: “I’m part of that process but I don’t think I deserve the compliments. I think first of all it’s Mo’s choice and his agent’s choice what he wants. Second of all, the club – – FSG, Richard, Michael Edwards — they put a lot of effort into him extending.

“Effort mostly means money! But also not only money. What it might tell you as well is that it’s not only a good season this season. We want to make a very good season next season as well and I think Mo is convinced we have a fairly good chance to do so.”