Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has aimed a brilliant joke in the direction of Manchester City, following a question about Mohamed Salah’s future.
The Dutchman has made a remarkable start to life at Anfield, only dropping points in two of the first 13 Premier League games and inspiring them to a nine-point lead at the top of the table.
Things could barely have gone better for Slot if he tried, but he will be sweating over the future of Salah, not to mention Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.
After Sunday’s 2-0 win over City at Anfield, Salah admitted that it may have been the final time he takes on their rivals at Anfield, amid doubts over him signing a new deal.
“Honestly it’s in my head. Until now this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool so I was just going to enjoy it,” Salah said.
“The atmosphere was incredible so I will enjoy every second here. Hopefully we just win the league and will see what will happen.”
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle United in the league on Wednesday night [via journalist James Pearce on X], Slot joked that Salah’s comments may be due to City being relegated if found guilty of their 115 financial charges:
“Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 (charges) and doesn’t expect them to be in the Premier League next season! I do expect them in the Premier League. It was a joke! I repeat it was a joke!”
Our thoughts on Slot’s joke about City…
This perfectly illustrates the underrated sense of humour that Slot possesses, with the 46-year-old making it perfectly clear that his comments weren’t serious.
While he may not have the level of charisma of Jurgen Klopp – few do, in truth – he is an impressive figure in his own right, and the ease at which he has replaced the German has been incredible.
Slot’s joke will no doubt be taken too seriously by some rival supporters, not least City fans, but it is a brilliant way of dealing with another Salah-related question.
He will know the importance of retaining the Egyptian, however, and an agreement must now be reached sooner rather than later.