Arne Slot Breaks Silence on Salah Exit & Confirms Isak Return vs Man City

After a long international break, Liverpool will return to the pitch on Saturday, April 4th, as they travel to the Etihad to face Man City in the Quarterfinal round of the FA Cup. Arne Slot addressed the media and covered a wide range of topics, including Mohamed Salah’s pending departure, the challenge of facing Man City, and the upcoming run of big games for the Reds to finish the season.

Bidding Farewell

Of course, the biggest news to come out over the break is that Mohamed Salah is leaving Merseyside at the end of the season. Slot addressed the imminent departure and many follow-up questions concerning it.

 “I think what has happened after he announced it is what he completely deserves. His teammates, anyone everywhere around the world that was asked about his legacy, said the words that needed to be said. It's been unbelievable what he did for this club for so many years, every three days, scoring the goals he did, having the assists, having the impact he had on this club, winning the trophies. I saw a beautiful photo of him in front of all of the trophies he's won individually and as a team, and I can only hope that he can add two extra trophies to it towards the end of the season… he was always available in his best possible shape. And that doesn't change, not in a positive way now he's leaving in the end, because Mo has always given everything he's got for this club in all the years that he's been here. So, I would hope that he could give maybe even more, but that's not realistic because he always gave everything he had, and he will try doing that until the end of the season. If we have a Mo in the form he's had for so many years, that will be a big help for us towards the end of the season.”

A Tough Task

While some players are back healthy, like Salah, others are still battling injuries. We will go more into this during the Predicted XI, but regardless, Liverpool will face an uphill battle in order to advance in the competition. Slot says the key is to start fast and keep attacking.

“I've felt this season multiple times how important it is to get a lead because that's what we've struggled with this season. It's much easier if you're 1-0 up or 2-0 up to keep the lead than being 1-1 or a goal down and you have to change the game. Scoring goals is vital in football, as we all know, and it helps you in many aspects – that's why I'm so happy Alex [Isak] is back. [In the] away game we scored from a set-piece, that really helps in every game of football [but] especially in the big games. It's so important that you have a positive set-piece balance, which we didn't have when we faced them at the Etihad this season because they scored from a set-piece... by the way, we scored as well but that was disallowed, so that makes it more difficult.” 

A Sprint To The Finish

This is the first of a long run of big games for the Reds to start the final stretch of the season. They also have a pair of Champions League matches with PSG, and they are fighting for a Top-5 finish in the EPL to ensure Champions League qualification for next season.

“Now it's up to us to show that we are ready for this tough fixture list. Tough in a sense of the opponents we face – but that's completely normal if you are still in the FA Cup and if you're still in the Champions League, that you face tough opponents – and tough in a sense that it's a lot of games with hardly any rest in between.

But we are now eight or nine months further than we were in the start of the season and I think more and more players are ready for this schedule than they were for large parts of the first half of the Season.”

LFC Globe Verdict

Unfortunately, I think the Reds will come up a little short in this one. There are just too many obstacles in the way. Against a team like City and Erling Haaland, you need all hands on deck, and Liverpool have too many missing pieces, and they will be rusty from the long layoff. Plus, they are playing on the road. I predict a 3-1 loss.

Have Your Say

Do you also think the Reds have a chance to win? If so, why? Sound off below.

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