Mohamed Salah has demanded Liverpool recover their identity and return to the attacking football they were known for under Jurgen Klopp. The 33-year-old forward issued a candid statement the day after Liverpool were hammered 4-2 by Aston Villa, a result that confirmed Villa's qualification for the Champions League.
Salah's Criticism of Current Form
Salah criticised his team's current form as 'crumbling' and 'very painful', following their 12th league defeat of the campaign at Villa Park on Friday evening. Despite this, Liverpool remain favourites to secure a Champions League berth, which could be confirmed within days should Brighton and Bournemouth falter, while the Reds can control their own destiny by defeating Brentford on the final day.
A Message to the Club
Salah, who is set to depart the club at the season's conclusion after a glittering stint at Anfield, delivered an unmistakable message to those running the club. 'I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions,' the forward posted on social media. 'It took hard work and I always did everything I 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. 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.'
Demand for Identity Recovery
'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.' Salah added: 'Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.'
'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.'
Champions League Ambition
'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,' Salah concluded. The forward's statement appears to take a swipe at manager Arne Slot, expressing his desire to see Liverpool return to being a formidable, high-octane attacking side.
