Arne Slot has hit back at the criticism aimed towards the standards at Liverpool in what appeared to be a pointed response to Mo Salah‘s recent warning.
Salah triggered fresh debate over the standards and culture at Liverpool during various interviews last week, expressing concerns about who will lead by example, and the need to work hard in the gym.
It increased unease about the club’s culture moving forward without the likes of Salah and Andy Robertson, with Van Dijk also saying that a lot of work needs to be done behind the scenes.
The comments prompted questions from members of the written press about whether there was a problem at Liverpool, and Slot’s response led to quite the detail about his mannerisms.
The *Telegraph*‘s Dominic King described Slot as being “clearly affronted by this topic,” and the *Times*‘ Paul Joyce noted he “gripped the top of the chair he was standing over, his fingers digging into the fabric, and tried to bite his lip.”
As for whether his response was aimed directly at Salah, Joyce stated: “Slot, understandably at this stage of a tumultuous season, did not want to pick a fight publicly with any player, but it seemed pointed.”
What Arne Slot said about Liverpool’s standards
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah complains about his hamstring to head coach Arne Slot (L) as he is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In response to the question about a possible problem at Liverpool, Slot said: “The first question, does Virgil mean the same as what Mo is saying?
“And what Mo is saying is that standards are really important for a football club. I cannot agree more with him.
“I did not hear him say that the standards are not OK now. Did you? If he goes all of a sudden [they will drop]… OK, as I just said… I’m not worried about it. At all.
“I’m not worried that the standards will be lower next season than they were this season, last season or the season before. No. I’m not worried. At all.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot speaks with Andy Robertson during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As the line of questioning continued, it was put to Slot that perhaps new signings had yet to grasp what it means to play for Liverpool.
“I wish I was able to say what I feel at this moment, but I can’t,” Slot replied. “So how will I answer that question then.
“As I said, I completely agree with him how important these standards are. I think they [standards] are in a good place right now.
“I think it also makes sense that younger players, it doesn’t have to be the signings, it can be the seven-year-old that comes from the academy, they usually get the example of players like Mo, and others, for them to understand what it takes to play every three days at this level.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister (R) after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Manchester United won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I see and I think that our younger players have improved in this already.
“I am completely convinced that we have enough players next season, and, add to that, the ones that we will sign, to put the standards exactly into the place they are needed.
“The standards are not only important in the gym.”
Reports explain that it was then put to Slot that high standards are required everywhere, to which Joyce observed that the head coach “appeared to glare.”
“It’s also on the pitch. OK,” Slot said, before later adding: “You understand me? Without me saying anything?”