The thing is…I remember last season seeing Salah being a bit of a side man in terms of chances and now when you look at it it makes so much sense give the ball to the best scorer. Grounded wisdom with Slot no more of trying to fix Darwin..
Also that whilst Trent’s one touch through balls unlock Salah in attack.. he never gets enough credit for having to take on some extra defensive duty when Salah often stays as the highest player!
Feels a bit bizarre to say, but if Salah was a bit more clinical with 1-on-1’s Trent would have a hell of a lot more assists… likewise Virg with corners!
But generally have really enjoyed seeing Salah become so involved this year, and he has looked so happy and likes he’s really enjoying it!
We will miss Trent when he’s gone and maybe only then truly appreciate what he has done for this team, in particular for Mo. I don’t think he’s been at his best this season but he wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t distracted by the contract situation. As for Mo, I’ve fallen in love with him again. I thought last year he was done. I was wrong - he looks like he’s just getting started. For me, he’s having a ball! Keep up the good work Josh. When’s the next podcast?!
I wonder if Klopp‘s plan bringing in Darwin was to transition away from Salah as the main man, maybe allowing him to play deeper as a facilitator for Darwin, gaining more years as a playmaker rather than a finisher.
Alonso esque balls from Trent, especially the first clip. We will be a weaker team if he leaves but let's just enjoy the ride whilst it lasts. All that matters is the next game.
Slot has done something that coaches should always do, but often overthink - just give your best player the damn ball! With his 4-2-4 setup and having Diogo/Lucho/Darwin constantly rotate with our 10 in leading the press or dropping deep, he is also saving Salah's legs to unleash them to do what he does best - run at defenders at speed and pick a shot or a pass. Again, like with his deep runs post a few days ago, Josh has pointed out just how much we are now set up to create situations for Salah to attack. It is beautiful to watch and it is so simple, like most beautiful football is!
Just for fun - to put Mo's first half in some historical context, here is what happened to Mo's career Premier League stats between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024
July 1 Goals = 157 / all-time rank = 11 / goals per game = 0.56 / rank (min 50 goals) = 9
Dec 31 G = 174 / rank = 8 / per game= 0.62 / rank = 7
July 1 Assists = 69 / rank = 17 / per game = 0.25 / rank = 17
Dec 31 A = 82 / rank = 10 / per game = 0.29 / rank = 8
And here is the big one... Goal Contributions!
July 1 Contributions = 226 / rank = 9 / per game = 0.81 / rank = 7
Dec 31 Contributions = 256 / rank = 7 / per game = 0.91 rank = 3
Mo was already elite. The first half of this season saw him jump to best of the best level. If he just cools off a little and hits 11 goals and 8 assists over the next 20 games, he will move to 5th all time for goals, 9th for assists, and 4th for contributions. Basically, the best winger in Premier League history.
Like I said it sounds so simple, get Mo the damn ball in space, but whether it was Lijnders or Klopp, we did not do that nearly as well as we could have the last two years. Slot has unlocked the code by keeping it simple sillypants!
What were the numbers when Bradley was playing? . To the eyes it would seem Liverpool did not miss Taa at all when he was out for a long period and Salah still maintained his numbers . This is still why everyone thinks keeping Virgil and Salah is regarded as the most important.
In that period Bradley really exploded with a weeks worth of performances where teams were really set up to face our RB inverting and suddenly we had a flying RWB playing very high and wide.
They are different players, and Bradley is a very exciting player, but Trent is genuinely worldclass.
There just isn’t really a comparison. It’s weird so many Liverpool fans are so keen to play down or criticise Trent.
The thing is…I remember last season seeing Salah being a bit of a side man in terms of chances and now when you look at it it makes so much sense give the ball to the best scorer. Grounded wisdom with Slot no more of trying to fix Darwin..
Salah was smashing it last year too for both goals and assists until Afcon..
But agree that he is better as the tip of the spear..
Absolutely!
Also that whilst Trent’s one touch through balls unlock Salah in attack.. he never gets enough credit for having to take on some extra defensive duty when Salah often stays as the highest player!
Feels a bit bizarre to say, but if Salah was a bit more clinical with 1-on-1’s Trent would have a hell of a lot more assists… likewise Virg with corners!
But generally have really enjoyed seeing Salah become so involved this year, and he has looked so happy and likes he’s really enjoying it!
We will miss Trent when he’s gone and maybe only then truly appreciate what he has done for this team, in particular for Mo. I don’t think he’s been at his best this season but he wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t distracted by the contract situation. As for Mo, I’ve fallen in love with him again. I thought last year he was done. I was wrong - he looks like he’s just getting started. For me, he’s having a ball! Keep up the good work Josh. When’s the next podcast?!
I wonder if Klopp‘s plan bringing in Darwin was to transition away from Salah as the main man, maybe allowing him to play deeper as a facilitator for Darwin, gaining more years as a playmaker rather than a finisher.
Great article. Thank you
Alonso esque balls from Trent, especially the first clip. We will be a weaker team if he leaves but let's just enjoy the ride whilst it lasts. All that matters is the next game.
Slot has done something that coaches should always do, but often overthink - just give your best player the damn ball! With his 4-2-4 setup and having Diogo/Lucho/Darwin constantly rotate with our 10 in leading the press or dropping deep, he is also saving Salah's legs to unleash them to do what he does best - run at defenders at speed and pick a shot or a pass. Again, like with his deep runs post a few days ago, Josh has pointed out just how much we are now set up to create situations for Salah to attack. It is beautiful to watch and it is so simple, like most beautiful football is!
Just for fun - to put Mo's first half in some historical context, here is what happened to Mo's career Premier League stats between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024
July 1 Goals = 157 / all-time rank = 11 / goals per game = 0.56 / rank (min 50 goals) = 9
Dec 31 G = 174 / rank = 8 / per game= 0.62 / rank = 7
July 1 Assists = 69 / rank = 17 / per game = 0.25 / rank = 17
Dec 31 A = 82 / rank = 10 / per game = 0.29 / rank = 8
And here is the big one... Goal Contributions!
July 1 Contributions = 226 / rank = 9 / per game = 0.81 / rank = 7
Dec 31 Contributions = 256 / rank = 7 / per game = 0.91 rank = 3
Mo was already elite. The first half of this season saw him jump to best of the best level. If he just cools off a little and hits 11 goals and 8 assists over the next 20 games, he will move to 5th all time for goals, 9th for assists, and 4th for contributions. Basically, the best winger in Premier League history.
Like I said it sounds so simple, get Mo the damn ball in space, but whether it was Lijnders or Klopp, we did not do that nearly as well as we could have the last two years. Slot has unlocked the code by keeping it simple sillypants!
What were the numbers when Bradley was playing? . To the eyes it would seem Liverpool did not miss Taa at all when he was out for a long period and Salah still maintained his numbers . This is still why everyone thinks keeping Virgil and Salah is regarded as the most important.
When was TAA out for a long period?
When Bradley played last year Salah was also out.
In that period Bradley really exploded with a weeks worth of performances where teams were really set up to face our RB inverting and suddenly we had a flying RWB playing very high and wide.
They are different players, and Bradley is a very exciting player, but Trent is genuinely worldclass.
There just isn’t really a comparison. It’s weird so many Liverpool fans are so keen to play down or criticise Trent.
Slot is the master of deceit whilst his Cab Driving Darwin says 'you talkin to me' dodge and ollie pick pockets. WE are watching