Arne Slot has publicly backed Mohamed Salah amidst the Liverpool star's recent dip in form, dismissing concerns about the forward's contributions following Liverpool's back-to-back defeats. Slot's staunch defense comes as Salah faces increasing scrutiny, with some suggesting he should be dropped from the starting lineup.
"The last thing I worry about is Mo," Slot stated in a press conference. "If you focus on one moment, like a missed chance, you miss the whole picture. It’s always a balance.". He emphasized that singling out individual errors, particularly in the wake of losses, provides a skewed perspective of a player's overall performance. Slot argued that focusing solely on negative moments overshadows the entirety of a 90-minute game, including the positive contributions.
Salah's recent performances have indeed been under the microscope, especially after a goalless run in the Premier League and a subdued showing against Manchester United. In that match, Slot substituted Salah with five minutes remaining and the team needing an equalizer, a decision that amplified the criticism. Some observers, like ex-Red Jamie Carragher, have suggested that Salah's place in the starting eleven should no longer be guaranteed.
Slot acknowledged that the team as a whole has been making uncharacteristic errors in recent games. He pointed to the Crystal Palace and Galatasaray matches, where simple turnovers led to scoring opportunities for the opposition. The manager stressed that such mistakes are not typical of his team and that both the players and himself are open to criticism when these errors lead to defeats.
The Liverpool boss also addressed claims that Chelsea specifically targeted Salah during their recent match. Chelsea's left-back, Marc Cucurella, admitted to exploiting the space left by Salah's advanced positioning. Slot responded by highlighting the importance of balance between wingers and full-backs, stating his desire for attacking full-backs while acknowledging the need to improve the team's defense against crosses. "I want our full-backs to attack as well, so we have to find the right balance in that," Slot said. "But I said at the start that we are conceding too many crosses compared to last season; this is something I’m aware of, and we have to do better".
Contributing to Liverpool's defensive issues is the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who transferred to Real Madrid in the summer. Alexander-Arnold's departure has created a void at right-back, with summer signing Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai all struggling to fill the role consistently. Some, like ex-Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison, believe Frimpong is "miles away" from earning a regular spot in the starting eleven, citing carelessness and a lack of end product.
Moreover, Salah's connection with Alexander-Arnold on the right side of the pitch was a key component of Liverpool's attack for many years. Without Alexander-Arnold's defense-splitting passes, Salah's effectiveness has diminished, impacting his goal-scoring record.
Slot's backing of Salah underscores his belief in the player's quality and his understanding of the factors contributing to the team's recent struggles. While acknowledging the need for improvement, Slot's focus remains on finding the right balance and addressing the team's overall performance rather than singling out individuals.
