Arne Slot Press Conference: Salah "Back To Normal" Ahead of Palace Clash

Arne Slot met with the media ahead of the April 25th match at Anfield vs. Crystal Palace. In it, the boss provided an important injury update, described what makes Crystal Palace so hard to play against and reacted to Mohamed Salah’s current scoring streak.

Injury Update

The boss delivered a mix of good and bad news on the injury front. Joe Gomez is fit and will return to the squad for the match. Alisson will be a game-time decision in goal, but if he can’t go, Freddie Woodman will be between the pipes due to Georgi Mamardashvili’s injury.

“For a reason, we've signed an experienced third goalkeeper. Usually, you don't need him that much, but there could be situations if one is injured and the other one gets a suspension – that usually makes more sense than expecting two goalkeepers to be injured. Then it's needed to have a third goalkeeper with experience, and that's why we were happy that we could pick him up on a free transfer this summer, apart from him being a good goalkeeper, which he's shown.”

The Eagles Are Soaring

As mentioned in the match preview, Crystal Palace have beaten Liverpool three times this season (If you count the draw in the Community Shield with the Eagles winning the shootout). No team has ever beaten the Reds four times in the same season. Slot breaks down what makes the Eagles so tough.

“As always, what makes it difficult are the players you face. I think they have a good team. They already had a good team two or three years ago. From that team, [Marc] Guehi is now at [Manchester] City, [Eberechi] Eze, [Michael] Olise, who's at Bayern Munich [and] making a career for himself now. And, of course, they have a very good manager, who's able to bring a lot of discipline in that team, and it is really, really, really hard to create chances against them.”

Back To Normal For Salah

The Egyptian King is closing out his illustrious Liverpool career with a flourish, scoring in each of the last 3 EPL matches. Slot is happy to see Salah finding the back of the net with regularity again.

“With Mo, I've said it many times, but that probably also goes for the other ones, there's always parts in the season where the ball just falls to you, and you don't have to do anything difficult and score. And in other moments, you do so much yourself to try to create the chance, and it's just actually never working, or the goalkeeper makes incredible saves. But normally – and that happens now with Mo – things go back to normal. Normal for Mo in his Liverpool career is that he's scoring goals.”

LFC Globe Verdict

This is the happiest and most relaxed I have seen Arne Slot at a press conference all season. He was laughing and joking with reporters while answering their questions. I think it is because most of the pressure is off. A UCL spot is all but secured, and you can tell Slot and the players are having some fun again, judging by the smiles after the Everton win.

Have Your Say

Can you see a difference in the way the team has been playing? If so, what are the reasons behind the change? Drop a comment below.

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