Liverpool boss Arne Slot praises Mohamed Salah for equalling Steven Gerrard’s club assist record in a crucial 1-0 win at Sunderland
ARNE Slot praised Mohamed Salah after the “unbelievable” Egypt star equalled Liverpool’s record for assists in the Premier League.
Salah’s perfectly weighted corner set up Virgil van Dijk’s 61st-minute winner in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory at Sunderland.
Slot’s willingness to highlight the assist signalled the continued rehabilitation of his relationship with the forward.
Salah had claimed the club “threw him under the bus” after being dropped earlier this season.
The outburst prompted speculation about a sale, but he quickly cleared the air with Slot to regain his place.
Salah’s latest assist took him to 92, level with Anfield icon Steven Gerrard.
“He has so many records for this club, but to have this one combined with such a great player. Both were unbelievable players for this club,” Slot said.
“Unfortunately for Steven, I expect Mo to go above him. I don’t expect, but I hope he goes above him.”
Liverpool’s second win in eight league games ended Sunderland’s unbeaten home record this season.
It lifted Slot’s sixth-placed team to within two points of fifth-placed Chelsea and three of fourth-placed Manchester United.
“Very important. I think we dug deep, after only two days of rest,” Slot said of the victory.
“The character we have shown throughout the whole game was very good and that is why we leave this place with a 1-0 win.”
There was less good news for Slot on the injury front after Wataru Endo was stretchered off in the first half.
Endo was deputising for injured right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong while Dominik Szoboszlai serves a suspension.
“We don’t expect a positive outcome. We expect not to have him for quite a long time,” Slot said of Endo’s injury.
“That is not the first time with our right full-backs. We have to find solutions to keep performing well.”
