Arne Slot’s message to Liverpool was heard loud and clear in training amid rumours about Mohamed Salah’s future at the club.
As the new coach of Liverpool FC, Slot had to leave his mark on the team during the pre-season in order to follow in Jürgen Klopp’s footsteps.
4
And to achieve that, he has a clear message, consisting of four words that journalists heard during a public training session in the United States: “Kill them with passports.”
It is indicative of the style of play that helped Feyenoord win the Eredivisie in 2023, even if it contrasts with the energetic counterattacking game that became famous under Klopp.
It is also a system that could limit the influence of a number of the club’s key players, particularly Salah, whose future at the club appears uncertain.
Since joining Liverpool, Salah has scored 211 goals in 349 appearances, establishing himself as a true legend of the Reds.
The Egyptian international still has a year left on his contract and has long been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
In a live segment on The Pitch Prospect, former Chelsea star Andy Townsend spoke about Salah’s situation at the club and how the change in tactics could affect him.
“I actually thought Salah might have moved on by now,” he said.
“His numbers were really quite astonishing.
“It’s very rare that people come into the Premier League and deliver the quality, form and big goals when they’re needed.”
“But nobody can do that forever and, again, maybe a more considered approach would be the solution for Mo?
4
4
4
“Or did it suit Mo when Liverpool were at their best with their feet on the ground, [Virgil] Van Dijk played him in from over 55 yards out, dropped the ball over a high defensive line and Mo ran in and scored his goals.
“It will be fascinating to see.”
It remains to be seen how different Liverpool will look under their manager next season, given his four-word message suggesting a different approach to Klopp’s ‘heavy metal football’.
Under the German, the Reds put a lot of pressure on the opponent and kept a high line to almost strangle the opponent in their own half of the field.
However, if Slot wants to get Liverpool to “hit them with passes”, as he put it, far-reaching changes could be on the way.
Salah’s situation remains unclear and there is a very real scenario in which the 32-year-old leaves the club for nothing at the end of next season when his contract expires.
In addition to the striker, the contracts of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk also expire in June 2025.