Mohamed Salah’s future in doubt as Arne Slot’s four-word message to Liverpool stars hints at what the future holds

Arne Slot’s message to Liverpool was heard loud and clear in training amid rumours over Mohamed Salah’s future at the club.

As Liverpool’s new manager, Slot has had to make his mark on the team in pre-season as he looks to replace Jurgen Klopp.

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And to do that, he has a clear message made up of four words heard by journalists during an open training session in the United States: “Kill them with passes.”

It is indicative of his style of play, the one that helped Feyenoord win the Eredivisie in 2023, even if it contrasts with the high-energy counter-attacking play made famous under Klopp.

It is also a system that could limit the impact of a number of key players at the club, notably Salah, whose future at the club appears uncertain.

Since joining Liverpool, Salah has scored 211 goals in 349 appearances, making him a true Reds legend.

The Egypt international has one year left on his contract and has long been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Speaking live on talkSPORT, former Chelsea star Andy Townsend spoke about Salah’s situation at the club and how the change in tactics could affect him.

“I actually thought now that Salah could have moved on,” he said.

“His numbers are truly astonishing.

“It’s very rare that people come into the Premier League and produce the kind of quality, the form and the big goals when they need to.

“But no one can do this forever and, again, maybe with a more thoughtful approach, will that suit Mo?

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“Or did it suit Mo when Liverpool were best placed at the foot of the pitch, (Virgil) Van Dijk would pick him up 60+ yards out and drop him over a high defensive line and Mo would run on and score his goals.

“It will be fascinating to see.”

It remains to be seen how different Liverpool will be next season under their manager, given his four-word message that would indicate a different approach to Klopp’s “heavy metal football”.

Under the German, the Reds pressed the opposition high up the pitch and maintained a high line to almost strangle their opponents in their own half.

However, if Slot wants Liverpool to “kill them with passes”, as he puts it, major changes could be coming.

Salah’s situation remains unclear and there is a very real scenario that sees the 32-year-old leave for nothing at the end of next season when his contract expires.

Besides the striker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk’s contracts also expire in June 2025.