Image Credits: Imago Images
Arne Slot has spoken publicly on Mohamed Salah’s departure for the first time.
Mohamed Salah’s confirmation last week that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season sent shockwaves across the football world, with supporters, pundits and former players all weighing in on the news.
The Egyptian King announced his departure via a heartfelt video on social media, bringing the curtain down on nine extraordinary years at Anfield. The announcement came just months after a very public falling out between Slot and Salah.
Now sitting down for an interview with the club’s official media channels, the Dutchman was full of praise for Salah:
“I knew, so it wasn’t new news to me, but I think it was very good to hear and see all the reactions of his teammates, but also from everywhere around the world, for what he has done for this football club and for football in general,” Slot said.
“I’ve mainly seen this as a fan, so watching football, seeing him playing at Liverpool, doing all these special things that he’s done for this club. Of course, in the fixtures against [Manchester] City but in all the other fixtures as well. He broke record after record after record.
Slot added:
“Hopefully he can make his legacy even more special in the upcoming weeks and months where we still play for something special. But he will always leave this club as a legend because, as I said, the way this club has performed in the last seasons is also for a large part due to what he’s done for it.”
“Scoring goals, having his assists. As I said, as a fan I watched him and that front three with Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino… everybody is still talking about that, and rightly so.”
“And then when I started working with him, I don’t know if it was his best season in terms of numbers, but it was an impressive season because he had the most goals and the most assists and I don’t know if that has happened much with him, let alone with any player in the Premier League.
“He will definitely leave as a legend of this club.”
With seven Premier League games remaining and Champions League qualification in the balance, Slot will be hoping Salah saves his best for last. Judging by the Dutchman’s words, there is nothing but mutual respect between the two heading into these final weeks.
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