Mohamed Salah called for Liverpool to return to its old ways after being left unhappy by Arne Slot's tactics, and one of his former teammates looks to have indicated that he's got his wish
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool embraces Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, after being substituted off during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah was unhappy with Arne Slot's tactics towards the end of his spell at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah certainly didn’t leave Liverpool quietly as his legendary spell at Anfield came to an end in a fashion no one had hoped for.
Salah left the Reds after nine years, during which time he etched his name into the club’s history books as he became its third-highest goalscorer of all time, going on to be voted as Liverpool’s fourth greatest ever player.
It’s fair to say that his final 12 months did not go to plan. A dip in form saw him taken out of the team by Arne Slot, leading to an explosive interview from which it felt like there was no turning back.
Although Salah did earn his place back in the side, it felt like the writing was on the wall, and before the season had even come to an end, he would confirm his own exit after agreeing to waive the final year of a contract he had signed only 12 months previously.
Before he left, there was one final parting shot at Slot. With the Reds limping across the finish line toward Champions League qualification, Salah bemoaned the way in which Liverpool was playing, and although he didn’t name his head coach, it was clear who the message was aimed at.
"I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions," Salah wrote on social media after a defeat to Aston Villa. "It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.
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"Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies.
"That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it.”
Slot would end up following Salah out of the exit door soon after that message, with Liverpool taking the decision to dismiss the man that had retained its backing for so long, despite the growing discontent around the stands.
Andoni Iraola was quickly brought in as his replacement, and it seems the former Bournemouth boss has already managed to fulfill Salah’s wish.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 30: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool FC speaks during a press conference on July 30, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to echo Mohamed Salah as he spoke about Andoni Iraola's style since joining Liverpool(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Although the Spaniard is only two games into pre-season, he has already made a telling impact on his new side, as Dominik Szoboszlai revealed this week.
“It's very good, the intensity is what we need this year now,” Szoboszlai told reporters in Chicago on Thursday (as per the Liverpool Echo).
“What we have been missing is back, from the coach and players side as well. So now we have to put this together with the team we have.”
Fans will be hoping that Salah’s wish continues to be realized when the Reds eventually get to the real business in the new season, but if Szoboszlai’s comments are anything to go by, the early signs are encouraging. Heavy metal football may be on its way back to Liverpool.