New Liverpool manager squashed talk of a transition by becoming only the sixth coach to win the Premier League in his first season
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has expressed his surprise at how quickly new manager Arne Slot has made a positive impact at the club following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
In an interview with France Football, Salah revealed that he did not expect success at this stage of Slot’s tenure at the club. The Dutchman took over from Klopp last summer and led Liverpool to a Premier League title in his first season.
“I didn’t expect us to win so quickly. Who could have predicted that the transition would be successful so quickly? No one, I think,” said Salah.
Salah also revealed that Slot approached him during Liverpool’s preseason and asked him to “be an example for the other players”.
“I told him not to worry because I’m always at my best, not to set an example, but because that’s who I am,” said Salah.
“He told me what he expected of me in the game, with a lot of responsibilities in running, which I liked.”
Comparing Slot’s approach to that of his predecessor, Salah said that Slot reinvigorated the team.
“Arne is very direct, he re-established the competitive level, whereas with Jurgen, we were perhaps a little too much in our comfort zone towards the end,” said the Egyptian.
“Arne and his staff are more open to discussion, to sharing feelings, I think that was important in my performances. And, above all, it led us to success.”
Under Slot’s guidance, Salah has enjoyed a prolific season, scoring 28 goals and providing 18 assists in the Premier League. In fact, the 32-year-old’s remarkable Ballon d’Or-level form was one of the key reasons why Liverpool won the title.
Slot’s immediate success has been noteworthy, as he became the fifth manager in Premier League history to win the league title in their first season with a club, after Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, Manuel Pellegrini and Claudio Ranieri.
