Arne Slot praised an “unbelievable” Mohamed Salah after his 250th Liverpool goal set up a much-needed victory for the Premier League champions over Aston Villa.
Liverpool came into the match on the back of six losses in seven games in all competitions and without a Premier League point since September 20.
But Salah’s landmark strike on the cusp of half time and **Ryan Gravenberch**’s deflected goal in the second half eased the pressure somewhat at Anfield.
Despite having a difficult start to the season, Salah, who was gifted his goal by **Emiliano Martinez**’s poor pass, has now scored in back-to-back games and taken his goal contributions to eight.
Of Salah’s achievement, Slot said: “That’s almost unbelievable. If you score 250 goals, it is already unbelievable, let alone for one club. You don’t see that much in football anymore. And I think, apart from the goal he scored tonight, he had a very good performance.
“What I also liked is that he didn’t only do his offensive work really well, but he helped the team out defensively as well. This combination of things led to the fact that I liked his performance tonight.
“And of course, it’s special for him to score his 250th. For him to score, it’s not even that special, because that’s what we all know he will always do.”
Getty: Liverpool FC
Salah acknowledged that a summer of upheaval was always going to take time to settle but was adamant that Liverpool will rediscover their form.
“I said at the beginning it is a very tricky season for us, we have a few new players, very good signings, but they need time to adapt to the team and we lost a few good players as well,” he said. “We just need time to adapt and know each other’s games and we will be fine.”
Choruses of Slot’s name were sang regularly during the game and were a show of support for a head coach who has had to deal with the most testing spell of his tenure thus far.
“*It meant a lot especially because it happened at 0-0. So, not when you are leading and not when you are top of the league, but when you’re in a difficult situation as a club, as a team, and because I’m part, definitely a part of that, it’s also difficult situation for me,*” he said.
“And then to get the support the players got, but also I got that, is something what makes this club special. I think they don’t forget if you’ve been part of something special, and they help you, especially if things are difficult, and that’s what it was.
“The last few weeks, things were difficult. And so they felt, the players, maybe even me, needed a bit of support, and that’s what you get them from these fans.
Getty: Liverpool FC
“I think you always feel pressure if you’re at Liverpool. If you’re leading the table with 15 games to go, you feel pressure. And if you are in the run of form that we were in, you feel the pressure.
“But I’ve always felt the support of the fans as long as I’m here, and also in the recent results, I have never felt that there was anything less than it was before.”
'Mistakes can be part of our structure'
Unai Emery, whose side couldn’t add Liverpool to their recent scalps of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, lamented Martinez’s error for the opening goal but said responsibility lies with him.
“We try to play with personality through our structures and through our rules,” Emery said. “It was easy for Salah. It was a huge mistake, but it was something in our process and my responsibility. I accept it.
“We build the team here through the style we want to keep in our process in the club and our next matches. Of course, we must avoid huge mistakes like today. But it is part of our process.
“We are going to analyse and identify how we build in these circumstances for the next matches. Through it we are are feeling comfortable and strong through our idea.”