Liverpool manager Arne Slot says Mohamed Salah’s goal drought is a testament to his own high standards, as the club posts a profit despite a record wage bill.
LIVERPOOL manager Arne Slot has defended Mohamed Salah amid the forward’s worst Premier League goal drought, suggesting the Egyptian is a victim of his own exceptionally high standards.
Salah has now gone nine league matches without scoring, his longest barren run since arriving at Anfield in 2017.
“He set his own standards and those are so high and the moment he doesn’t score for a few games people are immediately surprised –- that is the biggest compliment he can get,” Slot told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home match against West Ham.
The Dutch boss acknowledged the current difference in Salah’s output but expressed confidence in a return to form.
“We are used to Mo scoring a lot of goals and at this moment in time that is maybe the biggest difference,” Slot said.
He also noted that the focus should not be solely on Salah, as other attackers like Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo have also struggled for goals recently.
“It is a team thing which we have to improve,” Slot added.
Meanwhile, Liverpool announced a pre-tax profit of £15.2 million for the 2024/25 season, largely due to a £60 million increase in media revenue.
This return to profit followed the club’s Premier League title triumph.
The financial results were accompanied by a significant rise in the wage bill, which increased by £42 million to a record £428 million.
This figure made Liverpool’s staff expenditure the highest in the Premier League, surpassing Manchester City’s £408 million.
The high costs were driven by performance bonuses and contract renewals for key players like Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk.
The accounts, which cover the period up to May 31, 2025, do not include Liverpool’s subsequent £450 million summer spending on signings such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
Chief financial officer Jenny Beacham welcomed the profit but issued a caution about future financial pressures.
“The club does face significant cost challenges, including rises in administrative, staffing and operational costs, alongside the need for us to compete at the highest level of the game,” Beacham said.
