Slot doesn't commit to Salah facing Brentford for star's Anfield farewell
Slot doesn't commit to Salah facing Brentford for star's Anfield farewell
Fri, May 22, 2026 at 1:32 PM UTC
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1 / 0Britain Premier League SoccerLiverpool's Mohamed Salah runs during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in Birmingham, England, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland) (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Mohamed Salah will say goodbye to Liverpool on Sunday, but in what manner remains unclear after manager Arne Slot wouldn't commit to the Egypt star playing against Brentford in their Premier League season finale at Anfield.
Salah, one of the club’s greatest-ever scorers, forced the question with his criticism of Liverpool's style of play after a 4-2 loss to Aston Villa last Friday. He called for a return to the “heavy metal attacking” that struck fear in opponents.
The outburst — Salah's second public rift with Slot this season — adds extra drama as the team is also trying to secure Champions League qualification.
Slot was asked on Friday if Salah will definitely be involved against Brentford.
“I never say anything about team selection,” Slot responded. “It would be a surprise to you if I did this right now, I think.”
In March, the 33-year-old Salah announced he'd be leaving at the end of the season after reaching an agreement with the club to end his contract one year early.
Salah’s production has dipped in his ninth year at Anfield, to such an extent that he was dropped for a stretch of games — leading to the winger telling reporters in December that the club “has thrown me under the bus.”
Style questions
“Heavy metal” football is a reference to the aggressive style favored by former manager Jurgen Klopp.
“That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good,” Salah wrote in a social media post. “It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it.”
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With 257 goals, Salah is the third-highest scorer in Liverpool history. But he's tallied just 12 goals in 40 appearances this season.
“Mo and I have both the same interest — we want the best for this club, we want the club to be as successful as possible,” said Slot, who led the team to the Premier League title last year in his first season in charge.
The Dutchman was asked if Salah's critique could undermine what he's trying to accomplish.
“You are doing a lot of assumptions. You say that he wants to play that style and then say that it is not my style,” Slot said. “I think Mo was really happy with the style we played last season, and the fans as well, because that led to us winning the league.
“Football has changed, football has evolved,” Slot continued. “He and the team — and I was included in that — brought the league title back after five years and we would like to challenge for that again next season and continue to evolve the team.”
Slot was asked if Liverpool's style has changed from last year to this season.
“If you play football, you are not the only team on the pitch,” he said. “This league has become so strong that football has changed, but we have to find that right balance of still being able to compete but definitely also play the brand and the style of football the fans want to see and I want my team to play.”
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Source: “AOL Breaking”
