- Arne Slot dismissed concerns over Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool despite the star’s cryptic remarks
- Slot remains confident Salah can perform at an elite level like Messi and Ronaldo well into his late 30s
- Liverpool faces Boniface’s Leverkusen next, with Salah’s form pivotal to their Champions League ambitions
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, has downplayed any speculation surrounding ex-CAF Player of the Year winner Mohamed Salah’s future at Anfield.
Despite Salah’s cryptic comment following his goal against Brighton, a statement suggesting he would cherish the memory of scoring at Anfield no matter what happens,
“Top of the table is where this club belongs. Nothing less. All teams win matches but there’s only 1 champion in the end. That’s what we want. Thank you for your support last night. No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like,” he said. Slot however remains confident about the Egyptian star’s commitment to the club.
Slot even likened Salah’s situation to that of football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who continued performing at elite levels well into their 30s. Slot believes that Salah, a former CAF Player of the Year, is capable of following in their footsteps and maintaining his high standards for years to come.
As Salah approaches the final months of his Liverpool contract, Slot is unbothered by the uncertainty surrounding his future. The Dutch manager dismissed the media’s interpretation of Salah’s social media post,
“You interpreted it in a way [that] maybe other people don’t. I don’t look at the Instagram posts of my players. I only talk to them, which you can’t, so that is the advantage I have.” Slot emphasised that Salah is in a very good place mentally and physically, adding that the star forward’s form this season is as impressive as ever.
Slot is also unphased by public comments from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who hinted at the uncertain futures of some of his teammates. The Liverpool boss brushed off the noise,
“This will probably continue for as long as their futures are not clear. The only thing that is important for me is how he plays and what he tells me when we have conversations… not how you guys interpret one of his posts,” Slot asserted.
At 32, Salah remains one of Liverpool's most prolific players, directly contributing to more than half of the team’s Premier League goals.
With seven goals and five assists already, Salah has shown no signs of decline, suggesting he could be an asset for Liverpool well beyond this season. Slot pointed out,
“There is no reason at the moment to think that he is dropping in terms of level. That’s not what you see when you look at his numbers or what you see when he plays.”
Drawing comparisons to Ronaldo and Messi, Slot expressed his belief in Salah’s ability to continue thriving at the highest level,
“Cristiano Ronaldo, what age is he at the moment? Messi is still incredible. Incredible,” he mused, stating that while some players, including himself, regress earlier, Salah’s current fitness and skill level place him among football’s elite veterans.
Liverpool will be looking to leverage Salah’s form as they gear up to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League tonight, November 4. The game will mark a reunion with former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, now managing the current Bundesliga champions, who will return to Anfield in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Slot’s Liverpool will struggle this season as custom demands, Gary Neville predicts PL top 4
Previously, TheRadar reported that Gary Neville had wasted no time in revising his predictions for the Premier League season, making significant changes after just one game.
The former Manchester United defender, known for his critical analysis, initially backed Tottenham Hotspur to secure a top-four finish. However, following their opening match, he reconsidered Chelsea’s potential to overtake them.
