Mohamed Salah may not have directly mentioned Arne Slot's name, but the disappointing shares after Liverpool's defeat to Aston Villa still have the appearance of a public warning sent to the Dutch coach.
In a post on social networks, Salah talked about Liverpool needing to "return to being a fearsome team to all opponents", emphasizing the winning identity and energetic playing style that made success under Jurgen Klopp. Familiar phrases associated with the Klopp era make many people believe that the Egyptian striker is implicitly criticizing the current direction of the team under Slot.
Salah wrote that Liverpool cannot be satisfied with "winning a few individual matches" and affirmed that the club's minimum goal must be to compete for titles as well as win tickets to the Champions League. That statement quickly attracted attention because Liverpool is going through a disappointing season and Slot's future is increasingly questioned.
Despite the decline in collective form, Salah still maintains an admirable individual class. He continues to be one of the few bright spots of The Kop this season, in contrast to the lackluster image that the team has shown in many big matches.
The "Red Brigade" under Slot is considered to lack a clear identity. If Klopp's team was once famous for "heavy metal" football prioritizing pressing and speed, then Liverpool is currently considered slower, less decisive and much more vulnerable.
The numbers clearly reflect that. Liverpool have conceded 52 goals in the Premier League this season, their worst record in many years. The port city team is also often inferior to strong opponents and only gets one point when playing away against teams in the current top 9.
Salah seems to not only talk about the results, but also about Liverpool losing the image that once helped them conquer the Premier League and Champions League under Klopp.
However, Salah's post may also be seen as a move to protect himself in the context that he is preparing to leave Anfield. The Egyptian striker understands that this season not only puts Slot under pressure but also overshadows the end of his career at Liverpool.
Currently, the possibility of Salah playing in Liverpool's last match against Brentford is still very high. However, his latest statements are likely to continue to create controversy, especially if Slot remains in charge next season.
What makes Salah's statements more sensitive is that he is still the voice with the greatest weight in Liverpool's dressing room today. With the position of a club legend, all of Salah's comments can strongly impact public opinion and the team's internal affairs.
Many Liverpool fans see this as a sign of lingering dissatisfaction in the team, especially when the team continuously loses the advantage in important matches. In the context that Liverpool is facing the risk of missing the Champions League, pressure on Slot will certainly increase sharply after public shares from the Egyptian star.
