Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah United for Liverpool's Success

Arne Slot moved to steady the waters at Liverpool on Friday, insisting he and Mohamed Salah remain united in their pursuit of success despite the Egyptian’s pointed criticism of the team’s style of play.

Salah had taken to X after Liverpool’s chaotic 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa, calling on the club to rediscover the attacking edge that once terrified opponents and now threatens to cost them a Champions League place. The post landed with a thud in a week when tension already hung over Anfield.

Slot, though, cut a calm figure.

“Mo and I have the same interests, we want the best for this club, we want it to be as successful as possible,” he told reporters.

He reminded everyone that both he and Salah were central to delivering Liverpool’s first title in five years, even as he acknowledged the obvious: this season has fallen short of that standard.

The Dutchman refused to be drawn on the more immediate question. Will Salah, who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, play in Sunday’s final game at Anfield against Brentford?

“I never say anything about team selection, so it would be a surprise to you if I did that right now,” Slot said, shutting that door as firmly as he could.

Salah’s challenge, Slot’s response

Salah, third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list, had gone beyond a routine post-match message. He highlighted the team’s inconsistency and demanded a return to the aggressive, front-foot football that defined the best years under Juergen Klopp.

It was the kind of comment that can split a dressing room if allowed to fester. Slot insisted it has not.

The manager was clear that training has carried on without disruption as Liverpool prepare for Brentford, a game that will shape how this season is remembered and how the next one begins.

“What we and I want is for the club to be as successful as last season,” Slot said. “And that is where my main focus is on now because the game on Sunday could give us a really good base for next season.”

The stakes are blunt. One Champions League place remains open. Liverpool sit fifth on 59 points, three clear of Bournemouth in sixth and with a six-goal cushion on goal difference. A win against Brentford removes the calculators and the nerves.

“I don’t think it is important what I feel, what is important is we qualify for the Champions League on Sunday,” Slot said. “So I prepare Mo and the whole of the team in the best possible way, that is what matters.”

The Villa defeat still stings. Victory there would have wrapped up Champions League qualification with a game to spare. Instead, Liverpool walk into the final weekend with everything still on the line.

“I was very disappointed after our loss against Villa, as a win would’ve given us Champions League qualification, and now there is one game to go and it is vital for us as a club,” Slot admitted.

A boost at the back

There was at least one piece of unqualified good news. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker returned to full training on Friday and is expected to be available for the Brentford match after missing more than two months with a hamstring injury.

For a side that has creaked defensively at key moments, the return of their first-choice goalkeeper could not be better timed.

Now comes the real test. One game, one decision on Salah’s involvement, one chance to turn a fractured, frustrating campaign into a season that still ends at Europe’s top table.