LIVERPOOL, England: Arne Slot hopes Mohamed Salah can end his legacy with Liverpool with glory when he describes the Egyptian star as a “legend” of the club’s life.
Salah announced last week that he would leave the English Premier League (EPL) champions at the end of this season after nine years and scoring 255 goals with the Reds so far.
The 33-year-old previously clashed with Slot in December when he claimed he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive matches.
However, since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Salah has once again become the main choice in Liverpool’s difficult campaign this season.
Slot’s squad is currently fifth in the EPL and faces a tough challenge to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
However, the former Feyenoord coach still hopes to finish the season with a bang in the FA Cup and Champions League.
Liverpool will travel to Manchester City for the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight of Europe.
“Hopefully he can make his legacy even more special in the weeks and months to come as we fight for something bigger, but he will leave this club as a legend,” he told Liverpool’s website.
“Showing desire every three days, professionalism, commitment to the club and the team, always wanting to score goals and play… that’s what stands out to me the most.”
Slot’s attacking options have also been affected by the absence of Alexander Isak for most of the season, with the Swedish striker suffering from a broken leg since September after joining the club for a British transfer record of £125 million.
Isak is expected to return to training after more than three months of rest and will also receive a boost of motivation after Sweden successfully qualified for the World Cup this week.
“I think Alex is in very good shape because Sweden qualified for the World Cup last night and he will also be back training with the team for the first time tomorrow,” Slot stressed.
“Of course it’s the first session after three or four months, but we’re happy he’s back because we know the quality he has, he’s an incredible striker.”