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Beth Lindop
Multiple Authors
Arne Slot has reaffirmed that he and Mohamed Salah share common goals for Liverpool, following Salah’s recent comments on social media that appeared to critique the coach’s tactics.
With Salah nearing the end of his nine-year tenure with the Reds this summer, he took to Instagram and X over the weekend to advocate for the return of “heavy metal football” at Anfield, seemingly alluding to former manager Jürgen Klopp’s approach.
The post received support from several first-team players, but Slot remains unfazed by speculation regarding any loss of player backing, emphasizing the need for the team to adapt moving forward.
“I don’t believe the sentiment expressed in the post is overly significant,” Slot stated ahead of the Premier League match against Brentford this Sunday.
“Our primary concern is qualifying for the Champions League this Sunday, and I must prepare Mo and the entire team as thoroughly as possible for the match. I was quite disheartened by our loss to Villa because a victory would have secured our Champions League spot, which we missed. Now, there’s just one crucial game left for us as a club.
“I can’t say what impact the post has had on the group, but I’ve observed the team training exceptionally well this week. We hope to maintain that momentum in the coming days to be optimally prepared. Mo and I both desire the best for this club.
“We want our club to achieve maximum success. Together, we helped bring the fans their first league title in five years, but we acknowledge that this season hasn’t met those standards. Our goal is to return to the level of success we experienced last season.
“That is where my primary focus lies, as the game on Sunday could establish a solid foundation for next season. That is where I, and we all, need to concentrate.”
This marks the second occasion Salah has seemingly criticized Slot, having previously admitted to a breakdown in their relationship during an explosive interview at Elland Road last December.
Salah was later benched for Liverpool’s match against Inter Milan, although Slot declined to confirm if similar consequences would apply this weekend.
“I do not comment on team selections, so it would be a surprise if I did so now,” Slot commented.
“I consistently emphasize that both of us aim for what’s best for the club, and our ultimate goal is success. I must explore ways to evolve this team now, during the summer, and throughout the next season to restore that success and to showcase a style of play that I enjoy. If I enjoy it, I’m certain that the fans will as well, as I have not favored much of our playing style this season either.
“We had far too many matches where we controlled possession without producing anything noteworthy. However, this is also reflective of how competitive the league has become; it seems we rarely see 3-0 or 4-0 scorelines nowadays. Every match has become closely contested, not just for us, but across the entire league.”
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“Our objective is to develop the team to remain competitive while also playing the style of football that the fans enjoy, a style I hope Mo, wherever he may be, will appreciate too.”
When asked if he feels he still has the backing of the squad, Slot replied: “I grew up during a time when social media was developing, so I’m not deeply engaged with it. I don’t fully understand the implications of ‘liking’ a post.”
“What I focus on is observing their training, and I’ve noticed nothing out of the ordinary compared to previous seasons. We had a productive week, which can be tough after another disappointment against Villa leading into the season’s final week. Based on my experiences, I know such weeks can be quite challenging, but the boys have trained well, and I expect them to continue that effort in the next two days.”