Arne Slot hails ‘special player’ Mo Salah and insists Liverpool star was an ‘example’ to team-mates after scoring twice in enthralling 3-3 Newcastle draw amid questions about his future at the club

Arne Slot on Wednesday night hailed ‘special player’ Mohamed Salah as an evergreen star who is always there when Liverpool need him.

The Egyptian was instrumental with two goals and an assist to earn a point at Newcastle — though it would have been three if not for Fabian Schar’s 90th-minute equaliser in a rollercoaster game.

And asked about Salah’s contract stand-off, Slot said: ‘It is difficult for me to predict the future but the only thing I can expect or predict is that he is in a very good place, in a very good team that provides him with opportunities.

‘And what makes him even more special is you thought in the first hour he was not playing his best game and then he comes up with assist, two goals, shot on the bar. His finish is so clinical… special player.

‘When I came in I noticed from the start, he led from example, so many of his teammates were not there and to be able to train so hard and we all saw the quality. It is not a surprising thing he does well.’

Salah overtook Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot on 13 league goals and Slot added: ‘Every time we need him he is there. We hope and expect him to continue doing this for a long time.

Salah thought he had won the contest for Liverpool after scoring Liverpool’s third goal

Reds boss Arne Slot hailed Salah as a ‘special player’ for his star contribution at St James’ Park

‘It was an outstanding performance from him, even apart from his goals. There were many more special things.’

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe was satisfied with a point despite his team twice leading and playing well enough to win.

The Newcastle boss said: ‘(I have) mixed emotions, part of me feels we should have won it, a big part of me — and part of me is pleased we didn’t lose. 

Generally pleased with the performance, really good energy and quality against the best team we have faced this season. It was a big jump forward for us.’