Arne Slot says Liverpool won’t be wholly reliant on Mo Salah to lead them to success this season following their first win of the Premier League campaign.
The Egyptian winger was instrument to the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday, setting up Diogo Jota’s opener in the second half before finding the net himself minutes later.
Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool head coach this past summer, insists the group supersedes any one individual, while pointing out that Salah needs his teammates in order to succeed.
“I don’t believe that much in one man, I believe in the team more than the individual,” the Dutchman told TNT Sports.
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“He can score his goals because of good runs, good assists. I think Mo also needs the team but we also have more creative individuals who can decide the game.”
Jota could also be a key player for Liverpool this season after netting his 57th goal for the club in all competitions.
On the Portuguese international’s performance, Slot said: “We know but it’s normal if you’re Liverpool that you have a lot of good players. You saw today how tough Premier League games are so you also need good individual performance if the team is playing well to win.”
Slot refuses to set any targets for the club this season, but says his side need to be leading games by three goals to ensure victory after conceding so many late goals last term.
“Not that I’m looking so far forward to the end of the season,” he replied when asked what his goals for the year were. “I think every game we have to do everything in terms of defence but also with the ball. You saw last season how close the games were. We have to make sure we are up three and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Slot will make his competitive debut at Anfield next week when Liverpool host Brentford on Sunday, 25 August.
“Definitely looking forward to that,” he said. With the win now it’s nice to go into a week where we can train a lot again which is helpful because many came in quite late. But again it’s about preparing the team, not the occasion.”
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