Manager hails Egypt international’s “positive” act and backs Szoboszlai as future Liverpool leader
Liverpool coach Arne Slot is most thrilled to see Mohamed Salah contributing defensively even though the winger got a goal and an assist against Brighton.
Salah seemed much like his old self in a commanding Liverpool performance on Saturday to see off Fabian Hurzeler’s side and head into the FA Cup’s fifth round. The Egypt international has been criticised in some quarters this season not only for his poor form in attack but also apparent weaknesses off the ball.
“It is very nice to have Mo on the scoresheet again, but what I like the most is he also helps the team a lot defensively and that is something very positive,” said Slot. “It is what the team needs.
“Also, more players are capable of playing at this intensity level every three days and so more and more we see the quality we have.”
Salah got on the scoresheet with a penalty in the second half but before that he had assisted Dominik Szoboszlai’s excellent strike with a delightful layoff. Salah later called the Hungarian “one of the best players in the world right now” and Slot praised him as a sign of Liverpool’s work with young talent.
“Dominik is great example of the model we are using at this club,” said Slot. “We sign young players from another league, in this situation Leipzig, where he was already known as a player for being really physical but I think it’s fair for me to say the player we brought in was already good but where is he now, he is much better than where he was two-and-a-half years ago.
“That is what you get if you sign young players, give them a bit of time and let them play a lot. That’s why the trajectory he has been through can be the same trajectory for other players we have signed from other leagues.”
Asked whether Szoboszlai could be a leader within the Liverpool squad Slot said: “Yes, but he is still young. He has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example.
“There is still a step to make in terms of leadership, a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil, which is completely normal. Virgil is 34 and has seen [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson and these players, so it’s really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil and that would be the next step for him – to be as vocal and as loud as Virgil is but that comes with time.”
Brighton coach Hurzeler was disappointed in a game where he felt his side was competitive but let down by their finishing.
“Moments decided the game, unfortunately in the wrong direction,” said Hurzeler. “Liverpool had the quality to use their chances. We were not able to be that effective.”
