Mohamed Salah exceeded his own high standards with Liverpool last season under Arne Slot.
The 33-year-old winger had his best individual season for the club, breaking records, winning the Premier League title, the Golden Boot, and the Playmaker award in a year to remember.
While Salah may never have got his plaudits from world football, finishing fourth in this year’s Ballon d’Or, Liverpool fans and English football know exactly why he was one of, if not the, world’s best players last year.
So far this season, he has not been able to reach his usual heights, with fewer goals and assists on his tally than in previous seasons, but it is only a matter of time before that will change.
But the Egyptian’s increase was also aided by the fact that Slot became the new Reds manager in 2024, which gave him a renewed sense of purpose in his game, especially up front.
Arne Slot sorted Mohamed Salah’s contract by decreasing his defensive workload
The Dutchman impressed nearly everyone across football with his demeanour and approach to football, which helped him become incredibly successful in England, taking him to a league title in his debut season.
Salah was one of the main reasons for the huge amount of success for the coach, and the way he was able to produce for the team was better than anyone could have ever hoped for.
Rene Meulensteen explained that the reason he was able to thrive and sign a new deal for the club was the 47-year-old manager’s ability to communicate and give him what he wanted.
In an interview with No Tippy Tappy Football, the former Manchester United coach felt it was clear why the ‘Egyptian King’ remained on Merseyside when his contract was up.
Meulensteen said: “Look at Salah for instance. He signed a new contract, he sat him down and he said to him, ‘Listen, I look at you and I can see you’re not entirely happy… What was the issue?’ And 100% he felt that he had to do by far more defensive work, that hampered his attacking game.
“So Slot found a way in some way for Salah to do a certain amount of defensive work but also give him the opportunity to sort of, I wouldn’t say cheat but already take up an attacking position whilst he doesn’t really need to be involved in defensive action and somebody else can cover for it. Look what’s happened. He’s got a new lease of life and he’s flying.”
Rene Meulensteen explains why Arne Slot was the perfect fit for Liverpool
This has really shown in Salah’s game, taking a slight backseat on his usual runs back from the other end of the pitch to chip in with defensive duties, which has made him even more of an attacking threat.
The changes made by Slot have not been wholesale, but the slight changes he has made have created a team that is a nightmare to play against because of the quality of football.
When Sam Allardyce questioned if any modern managers would have conversations with players about their best position, Meulensteen used that example to praise the Dutch coach and explain why he has been so successful.
“That is why I think Arne Slot has done a fantastic job. When they asked me about it, because nobody knew about Arne Slot and I said, ‘Don’t worry about it. I think he’ll do really well’,” he said.
“I tell you for why because I know him from Holland. He’s got clear ideas, he’s a very good communicator. But more than anything, he will not throw what Klopp has built out the window. He will use everything and he will just keep going on it and he will tweak it here and there and maybe add a few things, but you will see a very similar side.”
Liverpool were very fortunate to find such a top-class manager who has made a significant impact on the club and looks like he will continue to do so.
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