Arne Slot’s message to Liverpool was heard loud and transparent in education amid rumours about Mohamed Salah’s long career at the club.
As Liverpool’s new manager, Slot has had to make his mark in pre-season as he looks to upgrade Jurgen Klopp.
And to do this, he has a transparent message made up of 4 words heard through journalists in an open education consultation in the United States: “Kill them with passes”.
This is indicative of his taste for the game, one that saw Feyenoord win the Eredivisie in 2023, even if it contrasts with the lively counter-attacking game that stood out under Klopp.
It’s also a formula that could limit the impact of several key players at the club, particularly Salah, whose future at the club looks uncertain.
Since joining Liverpool, Salah has scored 211 in 349 appearances, making him a true Reds legend.
The Egyptian has one year left on his contract and has long been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking live on talkSPORT, former Chelsea star Andy Townsend spoke about Salah’s situation at the club and how the tactical change could be just for him.
“Now I think Salah may have just moved on,” he said.
“Their numbers are really staggering.
“It is very rare that other people come to the Premier League and produce the kind of quality, form and big goals when they want them.
“But no one can do this and, again, perhaps with a more considered approach, does it suit Mo?
“Or did it suit Mo when, at best, Liverpool were on the ground, [Virgil] Van Dijk would pick him out 60 yards out and drop him into a top defensive line and Mo would run and score his goals?
“It will be to see. “
It remains to be seen what the other Liverpool will look like next season under their manager, given his four-word message that is said to imply something different to Klopp’s “heavy steel football”.
Under German leadership, the Reds pressed the rivals to occupy the field and maintained a superior line that almost strangled the warring parties in their own field.
However, if Slot needs Liverpool to “kill them with passes”, as he put it, widespread adjustments are possible.
Salah’s situation remains unclear and there is a very real scenario that sees the 32-year-old leave with nothing at the end of next season, when his contract expires.
In addition to the striker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk’s contracts expire in June 2025.
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