🚨 JUST IN 🚨🚨 🗣️ Salah told who to target; come Sunday’s clash with Manchester United

Arne Slot could use an old-school tactic to reignite Mohamed Salah’s form – it once did the trick for me

There’s something about facing Manchester United that has always stirred deep emotion within Liverpool players and fans alike. It’s not just another fixture — it’s a battle steeped in pride, rivalry, and history. Before every clash, I used to remind myself to control my emotions, though that was often easier said than done. The pressure, the noise, and the expectations are immense. Yet, what makes this match special is not the animosity — it’s the respect that fuels it.

In the modern game, players are drilled to approach matches with calm precision. The era of spontaneous, fiery football has given way to tactical discipline and analytical planning. Still, I can’t help but feel that sometimes simplicity is the answer. As Liverpool prepares for their next big test, Arne Slot could do well to strip things back to basics — play to Liverpool’s strengths rather than trying to overcomplicate the plan.

When I played, our approach to tough matches was direct. We didn’t spend hours overanalyzing opponents or adjusting every tiny tactical detail. We trusted in our ability and in the system that worked best for us. More often than not, that belief carried us through. For Liverpool, the same logic applies today. They have the stronger squad, and with Anfield roaring behind them, belief could be the key ingredient they’ve been missing lately.

But one player in particular needs to rediscover that spark — Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward has been the heartbeat of Liverpool’s attack for years, yet something feels off this season. Despite scoring twice so far — one from the penalty spot and another in the opening match against Bournemouth — Salah hasn’t truly hit his stride. His sharpness, his bursts of creativity, and his killer instinct seem to have dipped just slightly, enough to make supporters concerned.

It’s not unusual for even the best players to experience a rough patch. The real challenge lies in how a manager handles it. Slot has been patient, backing Salah publicly and continuing to trust him, but the time might be coming for a tactical wake-up call. No player, regardless of reputation, should ever be entirely safe from rotation — especially in a team striving to remain competitive on all fronts.

I remember something similar happening during my own career. My performances had dropped, and I thought my place in the team was secure. Then my old Oxford boss, Maurice Evans, pulled me aside and told me bluntly: “You’re being dropped.” The words hit hard, but they lit a fire inside me. The very next game, I came off the bench and scored four goals in a 6–0 victory. It was a masterstroke in man-management. Evans understood that sometimes the best motivation is a little tough love.

Perhaps Slot could use the same approach with Salah. A short spell on the bench — or even just the threat of one — might reignite that inner drive that made him unstoppable. Salah thrives on challenges; every time he’s been doubted, he’s responded with performances that silence everyone. A small psychological nudge might be all it takes to bring back that ruthless, goal-hungry version of him that Premier League defenders fear most.

Of course, there’s also the tactical side of things. Salah has been deployed slightly wider this season, with Slot’s emphasis on positional play and ball retention sometimes limiting his freedom to cut inside. Allowing him to drift more centrally — or even pairing him up in a two-striker system occasionally — could unleash the chaos that used to define Liverpool’s counterattacks under Jürgen Klopp. Football, after all, is about balance between structure and instinct.

Slot’s arrival marked a new chapter at Anfield — one that promised fluidity and control. But Liverpool’s DNA has always been built on emotion and intensity. The key for Slot may be to blend both worlds: tactical stability with the emotional spark that gets players like Salah thriving again. The Dutch coach has already shown impressive man-management skills; this might be his biggest test yet.

The coming weeks will be crucial. With Manchester United looming and the pressure building, Salah’s response could define Liverpool’s momentum heading into the winter. Whether through rotation, motivation, or tactical freedom, Slot must find a way to reignite his star forward’s brilliance.

Because when Salah is at his best, Liverpool don’t just play better — they play like champions. And if Slot can unlock that fire again, he might just discover the secret to restoring Liverpool’s fear factor across England and Europe once more.