Jurgen Klopp says he is "happy" with how talks are continuing over a new contract for Mohamed Salah as he dismissed concerns over the Egyptian's form.
Salah's future has become the subject of fierce speculation having thus far failed to reach an agreement with the Reds with less than 15 months remaining on his present deal.
Klopp has previously been reluctant to comment on the situation but admits he is pleased discussions remain ongoing with both the manager and player keen for an extension to be negotiated.
"I am happy with it because there's nothing new to say, that's good," said the Reds boss on Monday, speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Benfica. "Just good. The decisive parties are talking to each other and that's all I need. That's it."
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Salah has contributed 28 goals and 10 assists in 37 appearances this season to lead the Premier League goalscoring charts and become only the 10th player in Liverpool history to notch more than 150 goals for the club. The Egyptian, though, has netted just a penalty in his last six Reds games and was substituted after another indifferent showing in Saturday's 2-0 home win over Watford.
The forward was dealt the double blow of losing the Africa Cup of Nations final with Egypt to Sadio Mane's Senegal in February and was last week beaten in a World Cup qualifying play-off against the same opposition.
And while Klopp admits Salah is having a "tough period", he has no doubt over the player's ability to continue being a threat to rival defences.
"He might not have scored from open play - maybe a penalty here and there - but it's not too important," said the Reds boss. "For me, the performance level is important. The threat is for other teams, how he brings (opposing) players together - the moment he gets the ball, two or three players are going for him.
"In these moments, he could decide sometimes in a better way, no doubt about that, such as pass the ball quicker, all these kind of things.
"But it's a tough period for Mo - and for Sadio - with the Africa Cup of Nations and then the games and coming back and being immediately available for us again. That was really, really special.
"It's completely normal in a season to have ups and downs. They aren't big changes for these boys, but it's still there. We see him every day in training and see him playing obviously, there's nothing to worry about.
"Apart from that, we have to manage the physical part as well. Of course, these players will not come to me and ask for a break, so I have to give them the break at a specific moment. Hopefully together we use that little break and go again."
Salah is part of a full-strength Liverpool squad for Tuesday's match, with Naby Keita back in training after a knee problem and both Curtis Jones and Joel Matip having overcome minor knocks.
