By Ben Crawford,Cameron Winstanley

Copyright dailystar

Arne Slot has lauded Mohamed Salah’s display against Atletico Madrid following some “tough” outings at the beginning of the campaign . Although Salah has netted twice in four Premier League fixtures this term, question marks have emerged over the Reds’ talismanic winger . Those strikes came via a stoppage-time effort against Bournemouth when the match was already settled, plus a spot-kick against Burnley. His underwhelming showing against Newcastle earlier this month fell well short of his usual high standards. Nevertheless, Salah shone in the Champions League as Liverpool secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid, with Slot hailing his contribution . Transfer target Rodrygo has also addressed rumours linking him with a switch to Merseyside, whilst the Reds have received a warning from Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, as the Daily Star Sport rounds up all the latest from Anfield. Salah’s strike and fortunate assist proved decisive as Liverpool claimed maximum points from their Wednesday night encounter with Atletico Madrid. A Virgil van Dijk header secured yet another late triumph. Manager Slot was asked about the Egyptian during his press briefing before Saturday’s Merseyside derby, and whilst he acknowledged that the opening stages of this season have occasionally proved challenging, Salah remains indispensable, demonstrating exactly that in midweek. Slot said: “For me, when you are a great player, you still contribute to the team even when you don’t play well. Not a lot of them can contribute to the team with goals and assists when they don’t play, that is what stands out for Mo. “It is so difficult to always be the player he was against Atletico, but he still has goals and assists and that is why he is still so highly regarded and respected. A lot of players play well when the team is and not a lot can score or assist when they don’t. But I prefer to see him how he was against Atletico. Newcastle, hardly ever in play with the ball, so it was tough, but Atletico was a joy to watch.” Real Madrid’s Brazilian sensation Rodrygo found himself at the centre of Premier League speculation throughout the summer, with the Reds amongst those reportedly keen. The 24-year-old was touted as a potential long-term successor to Salah on the right flank. Despite an £86million valuation being slapped on him, Rodrygo remained at the Bernabeu and has now addressed the transfer circus that surrounded him. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo , he said: “I’m used to it; every year they say I’m leaving. During the transfer window, every week I was on a different team. “I even joked with my parents and friends: ‘Look, today I’m on this one, tomorrow I’m on that one.’ Every week I was on a different team, but, as I said, I was very calm mentally and it didn’t affect me at all. “I continued enjoying my vacation, training because I knew this [ Real Madrid ] was where I would continue. Well, in the end, I’m still at home, in the place I always dreamed of being. I’ll continue giving my all every day I wear this shirt.” The former Everton winger has issued a stark warning to Liverpool and other English clubs in the Champions League following Newcastle’s defeat to Barcelona on Thursday evening. Gordon managed a last-gasp consolation strike as the Spanish powerhouse secured a 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park, with the England international convinced they’ll pose a formidable challenge to any team that crosses their path in the competition. “I think in ways the way they keep the ball was a learning experience. We don’t play against that kind of style in England, not at that level anyway. I thought they were the best I’ve played against in that sense of the game,” Gordon revealed to BeIN Sports. “We’ve played against some top teams, City, Liverpool, Chelsea , Arsenal , but the way they pass the ball, the midfielders, the way they were fluid in their movement and combining, made it really hard for us to press, and it’s not easy coming here and doing that.”