Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admits head coach Arne Slot cannot win when it comes to how he handles Mohamed Salah this weekend as he does not have enough power to exile the Egypt international.
Salah’s post on social media on Saturday, leaning heavily on terminology associated with former manager Jurgen Klopp, was a barely-veiled criticism of Slot.
He is set to play his final match for the club at home to Brentford on Sunday in a Premier League game which could still decide their Champions League future next season, with Bournemouth technically still in the hunt after their draw against Manchester City.
Carragher admits the outcome of that game takes priority over everything but Slot cannot risk antagonising fans further, who are firmly behind the Egyptian having become disillusioned by the Dutchman’s tactics and the team’s poor performances.
“I don’t think a manager should ever cut off his nose to spite his face, he should always do what’s going to give the team the best chance of a result – if he needs a result,” Carragher told The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast.
“If he doesn’t need a result and Liverpool are already qualified then that might be something different but the position Arne Slot is in right now with the supporters, it is very difficult not to give Mo Salah some sort of big send off.
“You almost can’t win in some ways. If he had a bit more power.
“But if it was me and I was Arne Slot, I think I would play it a little bit clever if I’d got the result (from Bournemouth) and was in the Champions League positions.”
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In his social media post – which was liked by a number of his team-mates – Salah said he wanted to see Liverpool return to being a “heavy metal attacking team” – a direct reference to Klopp.
“That is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it,” he wrote.
Slot set to hold meeting with Liverpool owners – Romano
Speaking on his personal Youtube channel, Fabrizio Romano disputed reports that Liverpool owners FSG have cancelled plans to meet with Slot in the coming days.
“Arne Slot total confidence to continue, but we have to wait until the end of season review.
“There are reports there will be no end of season review – no. My understanding is there will be an end of season review, then we will see how it goes.”
Liverpool fans were frustrated further this week as it was announced former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso would take over at Chelsea.
Alonso was a popular choice amongst the Anfield faithful having won a treble with Bayer Leverkusen and spent much of his playing career on Merseyside, lifting the Champions League in 2005.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has also been linked with a move to Liverpool.
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Liverpool are facing an uncertain summer, with Arne Slot’s future anything but secure.