‘i’d Still Back Mo Salah To Score To Save My Life,’ Says Arne Slot About Forward’s Loss Of Form

Arne Slot has insisted Mohamed Salah will rediscover his goal-scoring form, claiming nan Egyptian is nan 1 subordinate successful nan world he would backmost to people if his life depended connected it.

Salah was connected nan chair for Wednesday’s 5-1 triumph complete Eintracht Frankfurt successful nan Champions League having not scored successful much than a period for his club. The 33-year-old will dream to beryllium recalled for Saturday night’s travel to Brentford, pinch nan champions searching for their first Premier League triumph since beating Everton successful nan Merseyside derby connected 20 September. Defeats by Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Manchester United person near them successful fourth, 4 points down nan leaders Arsenal.

“The measurement he trains, and erstwhile we do finishing drills, you cannot suffer that,” said Liverpool’s caput coach of Salah. “The only point is we person to support bringing him into those positions and he has to bring himself into those positions.

“There are a batch of things that tin hap erstwhile you get older. But if I tin prime 1 subordinate who has nan shot 12, 13 yards from extremity and he should people that to prevention my life, I would person Mo successful that position. Now he needs to show that he tin get into those positions.”

Salah scored 29 goals and assisted a further 18 successful nan Premier League past season, but is struggling to backmost up that form. He has not scored successful nan convention since a last-minute winner from nan punishment spot against Burnley connected 14 September.

“I dream he is not ever going to return it well, because nan infinitesimal you are going to return it good past you miss nan fire,” Slot said of leaving Salah retired of nan starting XI for nan crippled against Frankfurt. “That goes for each player, by nan way. Not only Mo. The infinitesimal you commencement to judge that you are not playing immoderate much and you are good pinch that, past you miss nan occurrence that is needed to play astatine this level.”

After last weekend’s conclusion by United, Virgil Van Dijk called a squad meeting without nan coaching unit to talk nan team’s mediocre tally of shape that saw them suffer 4 games successful succession successful each competitions. “For maine he has been nan astir influential I person had since I person been a manager,” Slot said of his captain. “He has been a leader passim my play here. Every azygous day, I tin spot he is nan leader. If we commencement a convention I tin ever perceive him. I could not person asked much from him successful that role.

Mohamed Salah celebrates aft scoring nan victor pinch a punishment against Burnley, his past Premier League extremity for Liverpool. Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA

“I promote them to return work and talk to each other. But particularly if we person a leader for illustration him [Van Dijk] pinch truthful overmuch respect successful nan group, past it is simply a bully thing.”

There is simply a chance Alexander Isak will beryllium disposable aft suffering a groin wounded against Frankfurt but Jeremie Frimpong and Alisson are absent. “Alex is not excessively bad, location is simply a mobility people for nan weekend,” Slot said.