Arne Slot responds to Mohamed Salah's post-Villa statement

Arne Slot has responded to Mohamed Salah’s statement on Instagram ahead of the final game against Brentford.

In the hours after Liverpool’s bruising 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, all the attention turned to Mohamed Salah, whose emotional statement cut through the usual post-match noise and went viral across the fanbase and wider football world.

The Egyptian spoke openly about Liverpool “crumbling to yet another defeat” and called for the club to rediscover the “heavy metal” attacking identity that once made opponents fear a trip to Anfield, comments many observers read as a thinly veiled dig at Slot.

Pundits have debated whether Salah was simply issuing a rallying cry or effectively turning up the heat on his head coach, while the fact that several team-mates were quick to like and share the post suggested the message resonated inside the dressing room as well as in the stands.

Now the Dutchman, speaking in his pre-Brentford press conference, has responded to Mohamed Salah’s statement:

“It’s not that important what I feel about it, what’s important is we qualify for the Champions League on Sunday and I prepare Mo and all the rest of the team to be in the best shape. Very disappointed with the game against Aston Villa.”

“The team trained really well this week and I hope that continues for two days. Mo and I have same interest, want best for the club and were part of first title in five years but also aware we haven’t been at the level this season.”

On whether Salah would be left out as a result of his statement, Slot kept his cards close to his chest:

“I never say anything about team selection.”

“I think Mo was really happy with the style we played last season, it led us to winning the league. I think we both want what’s best for Liverpool and that’s competing for trophies. He and the team, and I was involved in that, were involved in winning the first title in 5 years. Football has changed.”

“We would like to give our fans a nice way to end the season, because too many disappointments for us and the club and the fans and staff and players. We want to end with a win. Brentford play for something important as well. We want to be in the best possible place.”

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