Arne Slot Backs Mohamed Salah to Rekindle His Spark at Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has reaffirmed his faith in Mohamed Salah, insisting the forward still possesses the competitive edge that made him a club legend. Despite being left on the bench for Liverpool’s Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt, Slot is confident that Salah’s frustration is a sign of his unrelenting desire to contribute.

Passion That Drives Greatness

Salah’s visible disappointment after the 5-1 win in Germany drew attention, but Slot was quick to defend his player’s reaction. “I hope he is not ever going to take it well, because the moment you are going to take it well then you miss the fire,” said the Liverpool boss. “That goes for every player, by the way. Not only Mo. The moment you start to accept that you are not playing anymore and you are fine with that, then you miss the fire that is needed to play at this level.”

Slot’s words reflect a belief in the value of competitive spirit, something he has fostered throughout his short but successful time at Anfield. His first season in charge brought Liverpool their 20th league title, restoring the intensity that defined the Klopp era. For Slot, maintaining that hunger is vital as Liverpool push through a demanding fixture list that includes seven crucial matches in just over three weeks.

A Dip, Not a Decline

Salah’s recent statistics show a rare goal drought — six matches without scoring — his longest since early 2019. Yet Slot remains unfazed, pointing to the Egyptian’s commitment in training. “The way he trains, and when we do finishing drills, you cannot lose that,” Slot explained. “The only thing is we have to keep bringing him into those positions and he has to bring himself into those positions.”

With 248 goals in 413 appearances for Liverpool, Salah’s record speaks for itself. Slot still sees him as the man for the decisive moment. “If I can select one player who has the ball 12, 13 yards from goal and he should score that to save my reputation, I would have Mo in that position,” he added.

Competition Keeps Standards High

Liverpool’s squad depth means even senior players face rotation. Slot acknowledged that every member of his team believes they deserve to start. “My experience in general is that it’s quite hard for a player to understand why he’s not playing. They all see football through their eyes, and again that’s a good thing,” he said.

The Dutchman’s approach mirrors his broader philosophy: competition sharpens performance. Salah’s reaction, rather than concerning him, is a sign of continued ambition.

Eyes on Brentford Clash

Liverpool travel to Brentford next, with Salah expected to return to the starting line-up, partly due to Alexander Isak’s injury. Other absentees include Jeremie Frimpong, Alisson Becker and young defender Giovanni Leoni, while Ryan Gravenberch remains a doubt after twisting his ankle.

As Liverpool aim to extend their strong domestic form, all eyes will be on Salah. Slot’s confidence in his star forward suggests that goals — and perhaps another defining performance — are only a matter of time.