Salah made his first Liverpool start since the defeat by PSV in November
Arne Slot holds fond memories of Marseille, recalling Feyenoord’s successful stand in 2022 to secure their place in the Europa Conference League final.
Ahead of this week’s fixture at the Stade Velodrome, he reflected on those memories while also facing questions regarding Xabi Alonso’s potential move to Liverpool, queries deemed inappropriate by some.
Any speculation surrounding the Liverpool managerial position was effectively silenced by the team’s commanding European away performance, adding Marseille to a list of away victories this season that includes Eintracht Frankfurt and Inter Milan.
Liverpool’s current 13-match unbeaten streak (W7 D6) across all competitions, while not always spectacular, stands as the longest active run among Europe’s top five leagues. This achievement warrants recognition, as Liverpool’s last defeat dates back to November.
Notably, this marked Slot’s first victory in a game where Mohamed Salah was in the starting lineup since November 4, when they defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League. Following Salah’s recent interview, this result suggests a fresh start, allowing both player and manager to focus on the club’s success.
The symbiotic relationship between the two is clear. Pre-match, Slot stated to TNT Sports, “When I haven’t played him, I’ve been trying different approaches. We’ve lacked goals despite dominating possession. If there’s one player in Liverpool’s history who can score, it’s Mo Salah.”
While Salah didn’t add to his club record of 46 Champions League goals for Liverpool, despite a missed opportunity in the second half, the team’s confident performance in a 4-2-2-2 formation will undoubtedly please Slot and provide valuable insight for future matches.
“It speaks volumes about [Salah’s] professionalism that he can return from over a month away with another team and be fit enough to play 90 minutes after just one day of training,” Slot commented. “He came very close to scoring, which is usually automatic for him, but it didn’t affect us as we scored three goals.”
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Salah returns as Liverpool score three to beat Marseille
Liverpool ease past Marseille as Salah returns
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With Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai supporting Hugo Ekitike and Salah, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez were tasked with providing width on the flanks.
The two summer acquisitions thrived in this setup, with Frimpong’s energy allowing Salah to concentrate on his attacking role, though the Egyptian did contribute defensively when needed.
“Salah integrated well into Liverpool’s structure,” noted Steven Warnock on Match of the Day. “To maximize his potential, consistency is key, so I anticipate Slot will utilize him similarly in the future. This approach alleviates some defensive responsibilities, reducing the need to track back as far as he would when positioned wide.”
“This keeps him fresher and more dangerous by reducing his workload. Tonight, he seemed to be constantly on the shoulder of his defender, seeking opportunities, and he had two excellent chances where he could have performed better.”
“Both full-backs had strong performances, contributing effectively on both ends of the pitch. They maintained a high position when in possession, providing Liverpool with width and fulfilling that aspect of the game, alongside their defensive duties, which they also handled well.”
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How Slot changed Liverpool’s shape to pull of Marseille win
For Slot and Liverpool, the ongoing challenge is how to break down a low block, despite former captain Steven Gerrard’s advice to cease discussing it.
“I’m very happy for him. It can’t be easy under that kind of pressure,” Gerrard stated. “His tactics were perfect tonight, and he deserves significant praise and recognition. He needs to stop mentioning low blocks, though. Low blocks have been a tactic against Liverpool since my playing days; it’s simply the nature of the game.”
“I understand why we lack consistency, primarily because an open game is entirely different from playing against a low block,” Slot told TNT Sports. “You can’t compare it to a game like tonight when both teams are pressing and playing from the back. Our inconsistency stems from our struggles with low blocks.”
While it’s unlikely Bournemouth will employ a low block on Saturday, Andoni Iraola may consider it based on Liverpool’s recent difficulties.
However, the immediate focus is on Liverpool’s victory and another memorable experience for Slot in southern France.
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Liverpool ‘constantly show up’ despite setbacks – Slot
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