Liverpool picked up an impressive pre-season victory on Wednesday night, beating Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side 2-1 in the United States.
Liverpool fans are looking for reasons to be excited about the new era under Arne Slot.
Jurgen Klopp has gone and Slot has the rather unenviable task of building on the German’s incredible work at Anfield.
Slot has arrived with questions over him; he wasn’t exactly the first name on the lips of Liverpool fans when Klopp announced his exit.
The Dutchman worked wonders at Feyenoord but pundit Steve Nicol is predicting a tough start to the Premier League season.
There will be teething problems for Slot but Wednesday night’s win over Arsenal will have generated some real hope.
Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah
Liverpool lost to Preston North End earlier in pre-season before beating Real Betis in Pittsburgh.
A bigger test arrived on Wednesday night though as Liverpool faced Arsenal in Philadelphia.
Liverpool were impressive and scored two goals which will leave supporters encouraged about the future under Slot.
Mohamed Salah’s opener came from Liverpool playing some neat passing football in their own half before breaking through the Arsenal defence.
Harvey Elliott – who set up that Salah goal – then produced a stunning assist to set up Fabio Carvalho for number two.
Kai Havertz brought one back for Arsenal but Liverpool claimed the victory with a 2-1 win.
Elliott has dazzled fans with his two assists but supporters will also be delighted to see Salah on the scoresheet.
The Egyptian wasn’t at his best towards the end of last season and there has been lingering interest from Saudi Arabia.
Salah took his chance against Arsenal brilliantly though and Slot has praised the Liverpool hero.
Slot told Liverpool’s official website that he thinks Salah has not only been a great role model for young players this summer, but for ‘several years’.
Slot added that Salah has returned for pre-season training ‘really fit’, but has been told by people inside Liverpool that this is the norm for Salah.
Liverpool staff members are used to seeing Salah in tip-top shape for pre-season and have clearly told Slot that this is just typical Salah – an incredibly fit professional who is doing everything to stay in great shape into his 30’s.
The Liverpool boss is looking for everybody to show high fitness levels with the Reds looking to press high under Slot.
“Yes, but I don’t think he’s only this for this season: he has been that for several years,” said Slot. “He came back really fit, but from what’s been told to me that’s normal for him. He always comes back really fit. But if I only use Mo as an example, I would not be fair to the other [senior] guys because the others are strong and fit as well.”
“One of the main positive things until now is all the boys are fit, we have no injuries at all, so we hope we can continue like this and their fitness levels go up and up more. We felt today how hard it is and how tough it is to play against a team that wants to press us high – and we want to press them high. So, you need to be really fit to play games like this and we are working on this. We are heading in the right direction,” he added.
Salah’s long-term future unclear
Slot is clearly a big fan of Salah and values him not just as a footballer, but also as a leader and a standard-setter in the Liverpool ranks.
The 32-year-old will be looking to bounce back this season after just one goal in his final seven games of the Premier League campaign.
Salah is now inside the final year of his contract as well and his Liverpool future is unclear.
Saudi interest is unlikely to disappear and Liverpool are left with a conundrum over whether to try and sell him now, extend his deal or accept that he will leave for free.
Salah has been an incredible signing for Liverpool and a true modern great for the club, even being hailed as ‘remarkable’ by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Ian Rush wants Salah to stay this summer and that may well happen. but his time at Anfield may be drawing towards its close as contract runs down.
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