Arne Slot Hails Mohamed Salah's Impact Despite Liverpool's 3-3 Draw at Newcastle

Posted : 05 December 2024

Arne Slot praised Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool forward played a crucial role in his team's thrilling 3-3 draw against Newcastle, scoring two goals to highlight his importance to the Premier League leaders.

Despite Salah's brilliance, Liverpool's seven-game winning streak in all competitions was halted when Fabian Schar capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to equalize in the final minute.

Although the draw reduced their lead at the top of the table to seven points, Liverpool remains in strong contention for their first title since 2020, largely due to Salah's outstanding form.

The Egypt international has netted 15 goals this season, with nine coming in his last seven league appearances. However, the 32-year-old's future at Anfield has been a subject of speculation, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and no new deal has been announced.

Salah has recently expressed feeling "more out than in" at Liverpool, fueling rumors of a potential high-profile move to Saudi Arabia. Despite this, Slot refrained from publicly urging Salah to stay, instead emphasizing the forward’s critical role in Liverpool's success this season.

Slot acknowledged that while predicting Salah’s long-term future is difficult, he is currently in excellent form and playing for a team that creates ample opportunities for him. The coach praised Salah's ability to turn a game around, even when he wasn't performing at his best early on.

Slot pointed out that Salah’s ability to deliver two goals, an assist, and a shot off the bar in the second half after a quieter start is a rare quality, showcasing his special talent. His clinical finishing, Slot noted, further cements his status as an exceptional player.

The match at Newcastle saw a dramatic back-and-forth, with Alexander Isak's stunning goal giving the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime. Salah assisted Curtis Jones' equalizer early in the second half before Anthony Gordon's goal restored Newcastle’s advantage.

Salah then scored two more times, including a go-ahead goal, but Kelleher's error in the dying moments allowed Schar to level the game. Slot also acknowledged the difficulty of Isak's shot, which may have been hard for Kelleher to track, but he still praised the goalkeeper's overall contribution despite the mistake.

Arne Slot Hails Mohamed Salah's Impact Despite Liverpool's 3-3 Draw at Newcastle

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