Arne Slot wants to enjoy Mohamed Salah’s talents for as long as possible after the Egyptian scored one and set up two goals in Liverpool’s 3-0 win away to rivals Manchester United.
Salah, 32, is in the final season of his Liverpool contract and afterwards admitted he treated it as his last appearance at Old Trafford, but he used it to show he remains an elite talent as he twice set up Luis Diaz in the first half before getting the killer third in the 56th minute.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Salah said: “I was coming to the game, I was saying ‘Look, it could be the last time’. Nobody in the club talked to me yet about contracts so I was just like, ‘OK, I play my last season and see at the end of the season’.”
Asked about Salah’s comments, Slot said: “It’s a lot of ‘if’. At this moment he is one of ours and I am really happy with him being one of ours and he played really well. I don’t talk about contracts from players but I can talk for hours about how Mo played today.”
Sunday’s win makes it three out of three for Slot, who became the first Liverpool boss since Bob Paisley in 1975 to win his first competitive match against United.
Liverpool had an early Trent Alexander-Arnold goal ruled out for offside but did not let it bother them as they looked a cut above United.
“Everything what you want to see as a manager you saw in this game,” Slot said. “There were difficult moments for us, United started really well but then we the have disallowed goal and there was no negative reaction.
Another 🔝 performance 👑
Mo Salah is your #MUNLIV Player of the Match 🏆 pic.twitter.com/CGIokjhO2V
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 1, 2024
“We kept on playing, scoring three, we could have scored more, two important saves from Alisson and the work rate was incredibly well without the ball and that makes it a very positive day.”
But for United and Erik ten Hag it was another humbling afternoon, with the manager – handed a contract extension in the summer but only after the club had considered alternatives – forced to defend his record in charge of the club.
“It is just the third game in the season, we have to build a new team,” he said. “I explained this so many times, we will build this new team, we have young players and players to build in…
"We have to be humble."
Erik speaks after our defeat to Liverpool.#MUFC || #MUNLIV
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 1, 2024
“It is clear we have to improve but at the end of the season I am confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy.”
So many of the issues that have plagued United not only this season but last were on show again as they too easily conceded possession, with Liverpool enjoying huge amounts of space in midfield.
But Ten Hag disagreed with the question when he was asked why his players keep making the same mistakes.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Otherwise you wouldn’t win trophies as we would or beat big opponents. I am sorry for you. I have another vision…I think we won after City the most trophies in English football so I am sorry for you.”
Manuel Ugarte, United’s new signing from Paris St Germain, was paraded on the pitch before the game but United desperately needed him involved. Casemiro was at fault for both of Diaz’s first-half goals and was replaced at half-time by Toby Collyer.
“We have to build him in the team, it will take time,” Ten Hag said of Ugarte. “It is not like I’m Harry Potter, that is what you have to acknowledge. If you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season, not one match minute.
“We have to build his fitness, we will have to build him into the team, and then I am sure he will be an important player.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
