Mohamed Salah's latest statement has put Arne Slot in the most difficult of positions at Liverpool, and whatever decision the Reds' boss takes next, he simply cannot win
04:00, 19 May 2026
Mohamed Salah walks past Liverpool Manager Arne Slot during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool on April 4, 2026 in Manchester, England
Mohamed Salah has turned up the heat on Arne Slot with his statement(Image: Getty Images)
Well, you can guarantee one thing - Liverpool’s last game of the season will certainly not be dull.
Friday’s defeat to Aston Villa still leaves the possibility that the Reds could miss out on Champions League qualification, which could make for a nervy occasion against Brentford. Of course, Manchester City can render the game pointless if it beats Bournemouth later.
Even in that situation, there might still be a rather tense atmosphere at Anfield. Mohamed Salah’s latest shot across the bows has turned the heat up on Arne Slot considerably ahead of the Egyptian’s farewell - and it’s not as if the Liverpool boss was sitting comfortably beforehand.
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Although there were no names mentioned in Salah’s statement on Saturday, you don’t exactly have to read between the lines to work out what he was getting at.
In his own words, he wants Liverpool to return to being a “heavy metal attacking team”. That he chose the phrase that became synonymous with Jurgen Klopp’s time at Anfield tells you exactly where his comments are being aimed.
You did wonder when Salah might choose his moment. Although Slot seemingly managed to patch things up after THAT outburst back in December, it would be naive to think that all was well between the two.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England
Mohamed Salah has turned up the pressure on Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)
Still, the timing of Salah’s statement is one of the most intriguing aspects of this whole saga. By airing his frustrations before his final game, he has effectively given Slot an ultimatum - and it’s one in which there is no right answer for the Liverpool boss.
Compared to his bombshell interview back at Elland Road, this statement was relatively tame. That doesn’t mean it’s any less damaging to Slot’s crumbling reputation though.
Going by the precedent set back then, the next course of action for the Liverpool boss would be to drop Salah, as he has already been instructed to in some corners. When he did so against Inter Milan, he actually managed to draw a positive response from supporters - you can bet that wouldn’t be the case against Brentford though.
Sign held at Anfield
Lots of Liverpool fans have already lost patience with Slot
The credit that Slot had banked after last season’s title triumph has been spent. Lots of fans have clearly lost patience, and banishing such a talismanic figure on what is supposed to be his farewell appearance would only sour his relationship with supporters even further.
By the same token, playing Salah would rather undermine Slot’s position. Just 12 months ago, we were being told that he had been given the reins from Klopp due to his ability to manage an elite club.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot reacts to conceding their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on May 15, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Arne Slot finds himself in a no-win situation after Salah's statement(Image: Getty Images)
Well, with that comes tough decisions, and if he’s seen to be giving in to one of his own players, then that doesn’t exactly spark confidence in his ability to lead a side that has been so expensively put together.
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Ultimately, it’s an obvious choice. Slot has to play Salah in some manner, even if he doesn’t want to. It’s the least damaging option open to him, although at this stage, the Liverpool boss can’t really afford to take any more.
Once Sunday is out of the way, Salah will move on. It looks like Liverpool has decided Slot will not follow him, but if he does stay, he will be treading the finest of lines.