Mohamed Salah’s remarkable nine-year career at Liverpool is in danger of coming to a bitter end.
The Reds were beaten 4-2 by Aston Villa on Friday night as the pressure on Arne Slotin on the Anfield bench continues to mount.
It was a dismal night for Liverpool, with very few positive elements – but Salah’s return to the pitch, after missing two games through injury, was one of the rare bright spots.
The Egyptian came off the bench for the final 16 minutes at Villa Park, replacing Cody Gakpo, who was almost invisible, but even his introduction was not enough for the visitors to change the course of the match.
Salah, determined to stop such a scenario, reacted after another “painful” defeat, addressing fans via social media and demanding that Liverpool return to the football they played under Jurgen Klopp.
“I’ve seen this club go from doubters to believers and from believers to champions. It took a lot of work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.”
“To be crushed again to another defeat this season was very painful and it is not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool return to the attacking team with a high mentality that opponents fear and a team that wins trophies.”
“This is the game I know how to play and this is the identity that must be restored and preserved forever. It should not be negotiable and whoever joins this club must adapt to it.”
“Winning a few games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games. Liverpool will always be a club that means a lot to me and my family. I want to see it succeed long after I have moved on.”
“As I’ve always said, qualifying for the Champions League next season is the minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen.”
Meanwhile, the statistics do not speak in Liverpool’s favor: Slot’s team has already conceded a record 52 goals in a 38-game Premier League season, while the risk of being left out of the Champions League is increasing.
If Brighton and Bournemouth win their last two games, while Liverpool are defeated by Brentford, then the Reds could slip to seventh place.
