The bomb has dropped on social media and threatens to explode in Liverpool’s seaside resort: Mohamed Salah, the undisputed star of the Reds, has launched a veiled attack that only increases the pressure on coach Arne Slot, at a time when the club is experiencing a deep crisis. The humiliating defeat against Aston Villa on Friday was not just another negative result; it became the spark for Salah, who took to his Twitter account to express a heartfelt critique that leaves no room for doubt.
The Egyptian star, an icon of one of Liverpool’s most glorious eras, did not hold back and made it clear that the club’s current performance is far below what the fans deserve. “I have seen this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions,” Salah wrote. “It took a lot of hard work, and I did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.” The message, filled with nostalgia and demand, underscores the discontent with what is currently being witnessed: “Watching Liverpool crumble in yet another defeat this season was very painful and is not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool return to being that aggressive and feared team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and that must be recovered and maintained forever. It is non-negotiable, and everyone who comes to this club must adapt to it.”
This outburst does not go unnoticed, especially because Salah mentions phrases that have forever been linked to Jürgen Klopp, the legendary manager who has shaped Liverpool in recent years. The message thus sounds like a direct warning to Arne Slot, the current captain who has yet to instill a strong identity in the club. “Winning a few games here and there is not what Liverpool should aspire to. Every team wins games. Qualifying for the next Champions League is the minimum, and I will do everything to make that happen,” added Salah, making it clear his commitment, even after his imminent departure from the club.
The context is even more explosive because this publication was approved by players like Curtis Jones, whose future at Liverpool is uncertain, and Dominik Szoboszlai, a close friend of Salah and the team’s best player this season. The message carries weight, as it comes from one of the greatest icons in Liverpool’s history, a three-time champion with the club and a key figure in the conquest of the Champions League.
However, the contrast between the past era and the present is stark. Salah scored 29 goals in the Premier League last season; this season, he has only seven. The style of play has changed drastically since Klopp’s departure. The “heavy metal football,” characterized by a frenetic pace and constant pressure, has given way to a more measured approach under Slot’s management. But this change has been poorly received by fans, who see the current football as lacking urgency and intensity.
Liverpool has been outperformed in most league games, which can be attributed to Slot’s style of play or to injuries that have left the starters exhausted. However, even Salah, known for his physical resilience and speed, has shown signs of fatigue. In November, he was even dropped from the team for failing to fulfill the defensive duties required, especially due to vulnerabilities on the right flank of the defense, which have led to many conceded goals.
The Klopp era demanded high pressing and quick recoveries—a principle that seems dead with the current team, which has become too easy to attack. Liverpool has already conceded 52 goals in the league this season, an alarming number for a team that was European champion with a solid defense. The absence of “heavy metal football” has left a tactical void and an identity crisis that threatens to undermine the club’s prestige.
Salah’s message is not just a plea; it is an ultimatum. If Arne Slot cannot reverse this trend and restore Liverpool’s aggressive aura, he is set to face fierce opposition from both inside and outside the locker room. The clock is ticking, and the fans’ patience is running out. Liverpool can no longer wait. The revolution needs to start now.
This article first appeared in Apito Final.
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