Mohamed Salah has publicly called for Liverpool to reclaim their attacking identity after another heavy defeat, insisting the club must revert to the "heavy metal" football that made them feared under Jurgen Klopp. The statement came on the back of a 4-2 loss at Aston Villa, their 12th league defeat of the season, leaving Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Slot's side have not won a Premier League away game against any top-nine opponent all campaign. Salah, who is set to leave Anfield this summer, told fans on social media that winning "some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about" and that qualifying for next season's Champions League is the bare minimum. His frustration reflects a season riddled with poor away form and defensive fragility.

Former club defender Jamie Carragher piled on the criticism, claiming Liverpool have "too many weak players" and look like an average team after being "taken to the cleaners" by Villa. His assessment adds to the growing pressure on Slot, whose early promise has soured into genuine concerns about the squad's depth and competitive edge.