Salah ‘Deserves Big Send-off’, Says Liverpool Boss Slot
Liverpool: Arne Slot has confirmed that Mohamed Salah “deserves a big send-off” and expects the departed superstar to return from injury before the end of the season.
The Egyptian striker, who will leave Anfield at the end of the season, struggled in last weekend’s 3-1 home win against Crystal Palace, prompting fears he may have played his last game for the Reds.
Salah received an emotional applause from the fans and a standing ovation as he left the field.
However, Liverpool confirmed earlier this week that the 33-year-old had only suffered a “minor muscle injury” and is expected to return to action.
Slot’s men travel to face fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday after nearly securing a place in next season’s Champions League with three consecutive wins.
“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at Friday’s pre-match press conference, describing the winger as a quick healer.
“It’s a huge relief in every respect that his injury is minor, that he can play for us and that he can play in the World Cup.
“And if there’s one player who deserves a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”
Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since arriving at Anfield in 2017, leaving him behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in the list of Liverpool’s leading goalscorers.
He had a public argument with Slot in December and after being sidelined for three consecutive matches, stated that he had “no relationship” with the Dutch player, but quickly returned to the game.
Liverpool, whose Premier League title defense has collapsed dramatically since the end of September, has four matches remaining, starting with the match against United.
The Reds sit fourth in the table, three points behind third-placed Manchester United and eight points behind sixth-placed Brighton.
The top five finishers will automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League.
‘Right step’
Slot said qualifying for Europe’s top club competition was vital after a tumultuous season.
“I can’t take a step forward, but it’s the right step to take,” he said. “We know how important qualifying for the Champions League is for every club, but certainly for our club.”
The manager was asked whether he was judged harshly in light of Liverpool’s success when they won the Premier League in his first season.
“If I’ve been judged too harshly by many people, that’s for you to decide,” he said.
“It’s not up to me. I judge my players on whether they play well, whether they train hard enough, whether they use tactics well enough, and I’m not in this business to judge whether I’m being criticized too harshly, too much or too little.”
Slot said first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has not played since March, is close to returning to training.
“He’s very close, but of course we don’t want to take risks, because that’s never done with a player and that’s not what we’re doing right now,” he said.
