Mohamed Salah's Ballon D'Or Prospects Improve With Liverpool's Trophy Success This Season

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Arne Slot believes Mohamed Salah's chances of securing the Ballon d'Or this year will improve if Liverpool clinches a trophy. Salah has been exceptional for Liverpool, contributing to 41 goals in the Premier League this season. In their recent 2-0 win over Manchester City, Salah's performance was pivotal. He has now scored and assisted in 49 league matches across Europe's top five leagues.

Slot emphasises that winning a trophy is crucial for Salah's Ballon d'Or hopes. "I think, in general, someone who wins the Ballon d'Or needs to win something as well," Slot stated. He praised Salah's dedication, noting his defensive efforts against Manchester City were outstanding. This commitment is vital for Liverpool's success and Salah's individual accolades.

Salah has achieved remarkable feats this season, scoring and assisting in 11 league games. This achievement extends the Premier League record and mirrors Lionel Messi's performance for Barcelona in the 2014-15 season. Only Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have surpassed Salah in scoring and assisting in European leagues since Opta began tracking data in 2006-07.

Liverpool currently leads the Premier League by 11 points, although Arsenal has a game in hand. The team has also reached the EFL Cup final and will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16. Slot believes these achievements are crucial for Salah's Ballon d'Or aspirations.

Ahead of their match against Newcastle United at Anfield, discussions about Salah's contract situation have intensified. Alongside Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Salah's contract with Liverpool expires this summer. Speculation about their future at the club has been a recurring topic throughout the season.

Slot acknowledges that Salah's performances could impact his contract negotiations. "You can look at that in both ways," Slot remarked, highlighting that better performances might increase his value but are essential for maintaining high standards at Liverpool.

Slot further added, "Maybe for the one that has to pay him it isn’t the best, but for everyone else it is the best." He stressed that playing at Liverpool requires players to perform at their peak consistently.

The focus remains on maintaining top-level performances to secure both team success and individual recognition for players like Salah. As Liverpool continues its campaign across various competitions, achieving collective victories could enhance Salah’s chances of winning prestigious awards like the Ballon d’Or.