Arne Slot’s message to Liverpool was heard loud and clear in training amid rumours of Mohamed Salah’s future on the club.
As the brand new manager of Liverpool, Slot has needed to make his mark on the squad in pre-season as he looks to fill Jurgen Klopp’s shoes.
And to achieve this, he has one clear message consisting of 4 words journalists heard during an open training session within the US: “Kill them with passes.”
It’s indicative of his sort of play, one which saw Feyenoord win the Eredivisie in 2023, even whether it is contrast to the high-energy, counter-attacking play made famous under Klopp.
It is usually a system that would limit the impact of various key players on the club, most notably Salah, whose future on the club appears uncertain.
Since joining Liverpool, Salah has scored 211 goals in 349 appearances, establishing him as a real Reds’ legend.
The Egypt international has one yr left on his contract and has long been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking survive talkSPORT, former Chelsea star Andy Townsend spoke about Salah’s situation on the club and the way the change in tactics could affect him.
“I actually thought by now that Salah might need moved on,” he said.
“His numbers have been pretty astonishing, really.
“It is vitally rare that folks come into the Premier League and produce the kind of quality, the shape and the massive goals after they needed them.
“But no person can try this without end and, again, perhaps with a more considered approach, is that going to suit Mo?
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“Or did it suit Mo when Liverpool were at their foot to the ground best, [Virgil] Van Dijk was picking him out over 60 yards and dropping it over a high line of defense and Mo running in on it and getting his goals.
“It’s going to be fascinating to see.”
It stays to be seen how different Liverpool will look next season under their manager, considering his four-word message which might indicate a unique approach to Klopp’s ‘heavy metal football’.
Under the German, the Reds would press the opposition high up the pitch and hold a high line to almost strangle their opponents in their very own half.
Nonetheless, if Slot desires to make Liverpool ‘kill them with passes’ as he put it, there could possibly be widespread changes afoot.
Salah’s situation stays unclear and there’s a really real scenario that sees the 32-year-old depart for nothing at the top of next season when his contract expires.
In addition to the forward, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk’s contracts also expire in June 2025.
