Slot: You always ask me about Salah… The Paris game was a warning sign. 2025

 The Dutchman Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool, emphasized that his team must learn valuable lessons from their recent performances, particularly from the match against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and the first half of their Premier League game against Southampton.

Liverpool faced a challenging encounter at Anfield on Saturday, ultimately securing a 3-1 victory over Southampton in the 28th round of the Premier League. The match was far from straightforward, as the Reds initially found themselves trailing by a goal. This struggle came just a week after their hard-fought 1-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Despite winning both matches, Slot believes his team must improve if they hope to maintain their success in both domestic and European competitions.

Speaking to beIN Sports after the match, Slot reflected on his team’s performance and the difficulties they encountered in the first half. "We didn’t take advantage of the chances we created in the first half, and honestly, I wasn’t surprised that we fell behind," he admitted. His comments highlighted a recurring issue with Liverpool’s efficiency in front of goal, something he feels needs urgent attention.

He elaborated further, saying, "We lacked sharpness in our attacking play, and as a result, we made the game more complicated than it needed to be. This is something that applies to any opponent we face in the Premier League. If we don’t play with full intensity, we will always find ourselves in difficult situations. We had to adjust our approach in the second half, and as was evident, the difference in quality ultimately decided the game in our favor."

Slot also pointed out that Liverpool’s recent Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain should serve as a wake-up call for his squad. "That game was a warning for us. We need to elevate our level of play if we want to keep winning matches, especially at this stage of the season when every result matters," he explained.

When asked about Mohamed Salah’s contribution to the match, in which the Egyptian forward scored twice from the penalty spot, Slot acknowledged his consistent excellence. "Salah has now equaled Aguero’s record, and every week I get the same questions about him," he said with a smile. "He converted two penalties today, and he’s exceptional at taking them. His ability to score goals is something we rely on heavily."

Before concluding, Slot took a moment to highlight another key moment from the game. "If I had to pick one crucial turning point, it would be Darwin Núñez’s goal. That goal brought us back into the match and gave us the momentum we needed to secure the win."

Liverpool’s victory keeps them firmly in the race for the Premier League title, but Slot’s words suggest that he expects more from his players. As the season enters its decisive phase, the Reds will need to heed their coach’s advice and refine their performances if they want to achieve their ambitions on both domestic and Eur

opean fronts.