Arne Slot has responded to Mohamed Salah’s recent criticism of Liverpool’s style of play, saying the forward was happy enough when they won the Premier League last year.
In a social media post after last week’s defeat to Aston Villa, Salah, who will end a nine-year spell at Anfield after Sunday’s home game against Brentford, said he would like to see a return to “heavy metal football”.
This was a reference to former manager Jurgen Klopp, where Salah was at his best, and 12 members of the current squad ‘liked’ this post.
But the Dutchman responded sharply, insisting that the evolution of the game means replicating the approach that led to last season’s title win will never be easy.
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Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher recently criticized Mohamed Salah after commenting on Liverpool’s performances this season. Does Kara think Arne Slott should put him down this weekend?
“You’re making a lot of assumptions. First you say he wants to play that style, then you say it’s not my style,” the Liverpool manager said.
“I think Mo was really happy because the style of play we played last year led us to win the league.
“Football has changed, football has evolved, but we both want what is best for Liverpool and that is competing for trophies, which we haven’t done this season.”
“Him, the team and I’m a part of it, getting back the league title for the first time in five years and we want to challenge for the league title again next season and keep improving the team, that’s my opinion.
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“We have to find the right balance where we can still compete, but certainly play the brand and style of football the fans want to see and I want my team to play.”
Meanwhile, Slot insists he is doing as usual on the training pitch and says he has not been undermined by Salah’s latest comments.
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Sky Sports Gary Neville says Mohamed Salah’s recent criticism of Liverpool’s season will not help the club or manager Arne Slot.
“All I know is, that’s my world. I see how they train. I haven’t seen anything different compared to the rest of the season,” he said.
“I know from experience that this hasn’t been the simplest week, but the players have trained really well and I expect them to do the same over the next two days.”
“I don’t think it matters that much. What matters is that we qualified for the Champions League on Sunday and that Mo and the whole team prepare in the best possible way for the game.”
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The Sunday Supplement takes a closer look at Mohamed Salah’s criticism of Liverpool this season and whether Arne Slott should respond to those comments.
Fifth-placed Liverpool still need a point to guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League, but having a six-point goal difference with Bournemouth, three points behind them, would be enough of a safeguard.
With a further rebuild planned in the summer to replace Salah and long-serving left-back Andy Robertson, Slot knows how important it is to return to elite level competition in Europe.
“It affects our plans, that’s for sure,” he said.
