Mohamed Salah's future is in doubt as Arne Slot's four-word message to Liverpool stars hints at what the future holds
Arne Slot's message to Liverpool was heard loud and clear in training amid rumours surrounding Mohamed Salah's future at the club.
As the new manager of LiverpoolSlot has had to make his mark on the team in preseason as he looks to fill the gap Jurgen KloppThe shoes of.
And he has a clear message for that, made up of four words that journalists heard during an open training session in the United States: “Kill them with passes.”
It is indicative of his style of play, one that he saw Feyenoord win the Eredivisie in 2023, even if it contrasts with the high-energy counter-attacking play made famous under Klopp.
It is also a system that could limit the impact of several key players at the club, most notably Salah, whose future at the club appears uncertain.
Since joining Liverpool, Salah has scored 211 goals in 349 appearances, making him a true Reds legend.
The Egyptian international has one year left on his contract and has long been linked with a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking live on talkSPORT, the former Chelsea Star Andy Townsend has spoken out about Salah's situation at the club and how the change in tactics could affect him.
“I actually thought Salah would have moved on by now,” he said.
“His numbers have been pretty amazing, really.
“It's very rare that people come into the Premier League and produce the kind of quality, form and big goals when they need them.
“But no one can do that forever and again, perhaps with a more considered approach, would that suit Mo?
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“Or did it suit Mo when Liverpool were up to the task, (Virgil) Van Dijk would find him 60 yards out and drop him over a high defensive line and Mo would run at him and score his goals?
“It will be fascinating to see.”
It remains to be seen how different Liverpool will look next season under their manager, given his four-word message that would indicate a different approach to Klopp's “heavy metal football”.
Under the German as coach, the Reds would press the opposition higher up the pitch and maintain a high line to almost strangle their opponents in their own half.
However, if Slot wants Liverpool to “kill them with passes”, as he puts it, then wholesale changes could be in order.
Salah's situation remains unclear and there is a very real scenario that could see the 32-year-old leave for nothing at the end 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.
