Mo Salah sat down with Gary Neville to think about Liverpool's most important victory, how Arne Slot helped him to post record -breaking individual songs, or that the Ballon d'Or could win and why he thought his chance to sign a new contract was only 10 percent …
“I didn't expect me to stay”
During this season there was uncertainty about whether Salah would sign a new deal with Liverpool, with his contract that ends in the summer. In April, however, he finally put pen on paper after an extension of two years.
Neville asked him what he thought were his prospects to agree on a new deal at the start of the campaign.
“Based on club history? Ten percent.
“The philosophy of the club, I know how to deal with their players in the past in the past. I did not expect that I would stay. It is not something bad. We see how they deal with this situation in the past.
“It took six months before the negotiations go very quickly and from January things get better and better. It took us a while. I think the club was testing me to see if I could still offer or not!
“I wanted no more than that, I just said two years.”
And now he wants more Premier League and Champions League Glory …
Salah explained what he hopes to achieve in the coming two seasons: “This year I won the Premier League and I think I never felt happier for eight years in the club like this moment in the Spurs match.
“I really wanted us to win the Champions League match. I know that the Premier League is always fun for the club and that's how it should be, but I would like to win the Champions League and Premier League again.”
Liverpool was not expected to win the Premier League this season – but Salah says that this should never be the way.
“I think the expectation for us not to win, that's a problem and I think that should change with the players we have and the fans behind us. Liverpool losing that should be a surprise, not the other way around.
“There should be a limit to how often the fans should hear:” We're going again next season. “To go to the last game of the season and tell them, it's the best way to do it with a big trophy.”
On Alexander-Arnold who is booed by fans of Liverpool
In contrast to Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold chose not to sign a new contract, with a switch to Real Madrid who now seems probably seems to be for the Liverpool HomeGrown Star. Salah shared his reaction to Alexander-Arnold, who was booed in Anfield last weekend and called for the right back to say goodbye in the last games of the season.
“I think the fans were somehow hard against him.
“He didn't earn it at the time, he earned the fans to treat him the best possible way because he gave it all to the fans.
“We should not act in this way with someone who always appreciates the people who have even come here for six months.
'Imagine that someone has been giving you everything for 20 years. It should not be the case. I hope that will change the next game, against Brighton or in the last match of the season, because he deserves goodbye.
“I really love him. I think he deserves the best farewell that the club is leaving. He has done a lot for the city and did a lot for the club and he is one of the best players in the history of the club. He gave it all.
“I think he needed a new challenge. He spoke to me about it. It is certain his decision. He is 26 years old and won it all two or three times. What else can he do?
“I really wish him the best. I will always have contact with him.”
The Ballon d'Or of Dream – 'There is a good chance to win this year'
Asked if the balloon d'Or is an important target, Salah said: “It used to be crazy. Some things are not in your hands, so you give up in that direction. If you go to work, you remember what you want to achieve in the season, so it drives you to work harder. I would like to win it one day. I don't know what I know.
“I'm sure there is a good chance this year to win it, but we'll see.”
How Salah's Super season inspired
“I felt that he was pretty tough,” says Salah about his first impression of the Liverpool -boss who arrived last summer as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp.
“If he wants something, he asks you immediately. It was quite difficult in the beginning, but then you get used to him and how he talks to you and what he wants from you and things become easier.”
Salah says that Slot has demonstrated his interest for the team during a matte warm-up for the season.
“He showed me a few videos of myself in global warming. Players were in national teams and I was not the case that I came early with the younger players, the preseason started earlier and I did a warming up. I was pretty slow, did not do much. Then he showed me: 'Look at the second [player] After he sees that you take it easy, you look at the third. Then you see the whole line walking like me and he said, “That is your influence on the team.”
“We had a few honest conversations between us. He was very honest, showed me a few clips from me and said:” With this Mo we can win everything. With this Mo we can't win much. I want to get you the best out of you, I want it to be available all season and your best year comes with me. “
“I said,” Okay, let me know what you want from me and I'll do it because I'm very professional. “
“He didn't challenge me, he was very respectful and I told him that he was a very respectful person. He treated me differently. He showed me what he wanted from me. [Slot said:] “If you want to add something, change something, be open with me” and that was great.
“I just felt, new manager came, gave you space and appreciation, let me talk to him all the time [about] What I want to improve, what I want the team to do for me, what I want to do for the team. I think I needed that.
“He showed:” You are different, you're superstar here ” – I probably felt that I needed that at the time.”
When Salah realized that Slot was a special coach …
Salah's respect for Slot is clear – but he says that they were early tactical changes during the rest in competitions that convinced him of the quality of the Dutchman.
“A few games in the second half have always changed what the tactic is. He somehow adjusts to how our opponent plays, putting stupid [Szoboszlai] In different positions, Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] In different positions. He does not have that ego that “these are my tactics.” In my head that is very smart. “
About his increased creativity this season
Salah is the top scorer of the Premier League this season – but he is also at the top of the assistant trial lists, with 18 goals for teammates.
“Now I am more involved in the ball at my feet, I feel that confidence. If you miss it, you can have it again. That is what a player needs. I know I can create a chance. Before I won Playmaker of the year – 13 assists [in 2021/22]I believed that I had the power, but now I have the ball at my feet more often and I can do it easier. “
The file record remains a target
This season Salah has 46 target statements at the Premier League (combined goals and assists). That is the most by a player in a 38-game Premier League season. He is only one behind Alan Shearer (1994/95) and Andy Cole (1993/94).
“I broke one for 38. It's important for me. Because we delayed because we won the competition. Last week Lucho [Luis Diaz] Missed a chance and I had something like: 'Oh, please! What more can I do! “I would like to break it. I think I'll break it. “
Liverpool's beautiful future
“The players are new, excited, young, they learn from us and also have their ability to give everything. We have a very good group and we can win every trophy we want.”
Sky Sports to show 215 Live PL games next season
From next season, the Premier League coverage of Sky Sports will increase from 128 games to at least 215 games that are exclusively live.
And 80 percent of all Premier League matches broadcast on television will be on Sky Sports next season.