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Former Premier League star Rafael van der Vaart has suggested that it would benefit everyone involved if Mohamed Salah departed Liverpool during the summer transfer window. Salah was caught up in a very public row with the club in December, following a spell of matches where he was left on the substitutes' bench under Arne Slot.

The attacker criticised his treatment before suggesting a potential January departure. Salah was omitted from the squad for the Champions League triumph over Inter Milan before returning to Liverpool's matchday squad for the 2-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion following direct discussions with Slot.

Prior to joining up with Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations squad, the forward also said sorry to his teammates. Nevertheless, the summer transfer window could signal the end of the forward's Liverpool stint, as Saudi Pro Leaguesides remain repeatedly linked with a move for Salah.

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And Van der Vaart reckons the choice is a straightforward one, telling Sky Bet: "When I look at Mohammed Salah and the position he plays on the pitch, he has lost that extra half yard and the pace is gone with age.

"He used to be so quick and would run at players, but I can see now that it is different and this is because of his age. When I look at Mohammed Salah and the position he plays on the pitch, he has lost that extra half yard and the pace is gone with age.

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"He used to be so quick and would run at players, but I can see now that it is different and this is because of his age. When you look at Virgil van Dijk, age is less important for a defender.

"There were games he performed not at his best and everyone writes him off, but over a full season, even at this age, he shows everyone how good he is. [On Mohammed Salah] Having a big player and a big name is sometimes a problem for both the player and coach.

"When you expect certain things as a coach from him, and he doesn't do it, then of course you have the right to put him on the bench, but because it's Mohamed Salah, this can cause a massive issue – in every press conference every question will be on Salah. It could be best for both sides if Salah goes somewhere else in the summer."

Whilst Van der Vaart reckons Salah's departure might suit all parties this summer, he holds a different view regarding Reds manager Slot. "Arne Slot is the man that can turn things around at Liverpool, I believe this 100%.

"Spending £500m in the summer gives you no guarantee that the team is going to be better, and we've seen this," he said. "You have to remember that when Liverpool were winning, a lot of the time it was a goal in the last minute.

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"Football is sometimes a game of luck and now they're in a phase where the luck is not on their side. I really hope that Liverpool stay calm and keep Slot because he can turn it around."

Liverpool have a task on their hands to turn their form around under Slot, to help keep his job secure in the coming months. The Reds won the Premier League in his first campaign at the helm, but after a summer of heavy investment, they have regressed with results in the division.

The current challenge is to secure Champions League football for next season, with the race wide open to try and seal a place in the top four or five.