22 May 2026 12:30 BST |
5 min read
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has publicly reacted to Mohamed Salah’s jibes about the team’s playing style this season.
The Reds have been severely underwhelming in 2025/26. Defending their title from the previous season, they have never been in the championship race and must wait until the final day to secure qualification for the Champions League.
With one game remaining against Brentford on Sunday, they are fifth in the Premier League, though that will likely be enough to secure that spot at Europe’s top table.
Liverpool were defeated 4-2 by Aston Villa last Friday and Salah, who has suffered from a major downturn in form this season individually, posted on social media a lengthy reaction to the loss in which he longed for the famous “heavy metal” football that the club enjoyed under Jurgen Klopp.
Slot has played down the comments, saying Salah was happy enough with the team’s playing style when they won the league last year, while insisting the pair just want the best for the club.
“I don’t think it is that important what I feel about it,” he said. “What is important is that we qualify for the Champions League on Sunday and I prepare Mo and the whole team in the best possible way for the game. I don’t know if it had an impact on the group but what I have seen is that the team trained really well this week.
“Mo and I both have the same interests, we want the best for this club. We want the club to be as successful as possible. I think Mo was really happy with the style we played last year as it led to us winning the league. We were both part of giving our fans their first league title for five years (last season).
“We are also aware we didn’t have the same level this season. The game on Sunday could give us a really good base going into next season.”
Salah will go down as one of the greatest players in the club’s history as his goals fired them to two Premier League titles as well as a Champions League triumph. He is currently fourth on the all-time Premier League goalscorers list and in 2024/26 he broke the record for the most combined goals and assists in a 38-game campaign.
Still, he’s leaving Liverpool on a sour note, with just 13 goal contributions this term and now numerous public statements that have shed the club in a negative light.
Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney suggested on his podcast that Salah should not be included in the squad for the Brentford game this weekend, as he no longer deserves an Anfield farewell due to his behaviour.
Slot isn’t giving anything away about his inclusion or exclusion, either.
“I never say anything about team selection so it would be a surprise to you if I did that right now,” the Dutchman responded when asked if Salah would be in the squad.
“If I was Slot I’d have him nowhere near the stadium” 👀
Wayne Rooney is not happy with Mohamed Salah’s comments on Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/zLt5OpDwzw
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 18, 2026
What did Salah say?
After the Aston Villa loss, the Egyptian posted on X:
“I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions. It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.
“Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it.
“Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.
“Liverpool will always be a club that means a great deal to me and to my family. I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on.
“As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen.”
It was confirmed in April that Salah is leaving Liverpool at the conclusion of the current season. His next destination has not been revealed but he has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for well over a year, while there is also reported interest from Turkiye and Major League Soccer in the United States.
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