Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was full of praise for West Ham pair Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta following the 2-1 win over the Hammers at the weekend.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot name-checked the two players, labelling their performances as “outstanding”:

“They [West Ham] also have players and that’s what makes the Premier League so strong this season. I think they are 16th or 17th in the league but I can name you one or two players that could have easily played with us today in terms of quality. That is what the Premier League is about.

“They used them more and more in the second half, these two quality players, and they have more, but I think [Lucas] Paqueta and [Mohammed] Kudus were outstanding today, especially in the second half. Maybe because we were 1-0 up and we conceded one or two chances, it led to a situation where we were a bit too afraid or didn’t press hard enough anymore.”

Kudus has been linked with a move to Liverpool

The Reds have been credited with an interest in the Ghanaian international over the past twelve months, along with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle.

Slot will know Kudus from his time in the Netherlands, with the forward having left Ajax to join West Ham at the start of last season. The existence of a £85m release clause also makes things interesting although the player’s rather poor form this campaign would suggest no team would be willing to pay that amount. He has scored just 3 goals and provided 3 assists in 29 appearances.

Salah’s contract decision makes any bid unlikely

Another reason why a move for Kudus is not on the cards is due to Mo Salah signing a two-year contract extension. He would likely be brought in as the Egyptian’s replacement, but with Liverpool’s No.11 staying put, there is no need for him to be bought.

Slot’s comments do suggest that he would like to manage the Ghanaian at some point in the future but the stars might not align for the pair to work together at Anfield.

Click here to see Liverpool’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season