Mohamed Salah told manager Arne Slot and his Liverpool teammates they better win next year ahead of his final game for the club on Sunday. The Egyptian forward is bringing an end to a nine-year spell at Anfield, where he became the third-highest goalscorer in Liverpool history with 255 goals.
Salah and defender Andy Robertson will make their final appearances for the club in a Premier League home match against Brentford at Anfield. Both players were presented with gifts at the training ground before their final game, where Slot addressed the duo before they delivered speeches to the squad.
"I don't want to be emotional today, because tomorrow is going to be an emotional day," Salah said during his farewell speech. "But, I really appreciate every moment I've had at this club. I've had a great time with all of you, and it's something I will take with me in the future, so thank you very much. Hopefully, I'll see you soon again."
After Robertson finished speaking, Salah interjected to deliver a final message to Slot and the squad. "Wait, one more thing I want to say," Salah said. "Being in Liverpool, winning for Liverpool and winning games is the best thing that could happen to you. I think this is the best club in the world when you win something and the worst club in the world when you lose. So you better win next year."
Liverpool season and team performance
Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, but he has come under pressure following an underwhelming campaign. Liverpool suffered quarter-final exits in both the Champions League and the FA Cup, and the team sits fifth in the Premier League heading into the final day of the season.
Salah created controversy last week with a social media post that appeared to target Slot by calling for a return to former manager Jurgen Klopp's heavy metal football. Salah wrote that he had witnessed the club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions, adding that he always did everything he could to help the club get there.
"Nothing makes me prouder than that. Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve," Salah wrote in the post. "I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and 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."
"Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games," Salah added. "Liverpool will always be a club that means a great deal to me and to my family. I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on. As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen."
Arne Slot response to Salah comments
Slot said on Friday that he will only remember the goal-scoring machine version of Salah despite their disputes during the season. Slot stated that winning last season's Premier League title was the most special thing he has won in his life. He added that he will remember how important Salah was in that title-winning season for the club and for him because of all the goals Salah scored.