Virgil can Dijk says Mo Salah could be even better for Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk expects Mohamed Salah to take his form to higher levels after clearing his mind of the contract issues that became a distraction.

Liverpool continued their preparations for the new campaign by winning the Community Shield on Saturday, with Salah's performance one of many highlights for manager Jurgen Klopp in a 3-1 win over Manchester City. The Egypt forward thrashed home a penalty and assisted his side's opening goal.

Salah set the tone for Liverpool as early as the third minute when he scurried away from Joao Cancelo, and was so happy to receive the trophy at the end that he almost jumped into the Reds fans who were celebrating at Leicester's King Power Stadium.

Though Salah won the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards last season, his form tapered off. Now he has signed a contract that will keep him at Anfield until June 2025, Van Dijk feels it will prove to be liberating for the 30-year-old.

'He's under the microscope all of the time — he created that himself. He's such a good player and he shows that all the time,' said Van Dijk. 'At the end of the season, there was a lot of talk about his contract.

'We are all human beings and maybe that affected him a little bit, unfortunately. But he still showed high levels and quality, played with a free mind and he's happy to be here — everyone is happy to be here.'

There was certainly plenty of reason for the squad to be content with the way they performed against City, not least because Darwin Nunez — Liverpool's statement signing of the transfer window — had such a profound impact on the game.

His header led to the penalty that Salah dispatched after an intervention from VAR. The Uruguay star then wrapped up victory by diving to head in from close range. It