Slot’s Comeback, Boos, and Salah: Liverpool’s Patience Pays Off
21 January 2026
The Dutch coach is astonished by the ongoing underestimation of his abilities, insisting that his approach deserves evaluation on its own merits rather than on rumors.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, pushed back at claims that he still needs to prove his case, expressing real surprise after the team’s 1-1 stalemate with Burnley in the Premier League.
Speaking on TNT Sports on Wednesday, Slot said: “If you have won the Premier League with a club that has lifted the trophy only twice in 30 years, I am surprised to hear this kind of talk.”
Yet he added that he accepts that stance if that’s the mood around the club; he noted that both last season and this season he has pushed for possession and attacking football, a task made tougher by intelligent opponents and a need for patience.
Salah’s Return
He continued: “We cannot be satisfied with a home draw against Burnley, but setting aside the result—which is almost impossible—this was our best performance against a compact defense since I took charge.”
Slot then highlighted the positive news: Salah is back, bringing more optimism. If fans were frustrated by performances against Leeds and Sunderland, he shares their concerns because we didn’t create enough chances, but that period was also when Salah was absent.
He concluded: “I had only one winger in the lineup against packed defenses; the wing is crucial, which makes Salah’s return so welcome. Over the years, when opportunities were present with him, the goals tended to follow.”
Punchline time: If patience were a footballer, Slot would be the monk of Merseyside. Punchline 2: Salah’s back, so the goals are on the comeback tour—homecoming season again.
