Mohamed Salah has given a clear message to Liverpool days before the conclusion of his emotional exit from Anfield, urging Liverpool to once again become a fearsome “heavy metal football”. Salah was keen to praise Liverpool as a team that was “crumbling” once more, following their crushing 4-2 loss against Aston Villa, and suggested the club had lost the “aggressive” style of play and “aggressiveness” that was as much a part of Jurgen Klopp’s era as it was his personality.

Salah’s remarks come as no surprise at this time. Another disappointing collective effort has left Liverpool’s Champions League dreams in danger on a thread with Liverpool’s performances running far below their own standards in a nadir that has been significant in the team’s season. Those who departed before the foot pump of the final whistle portrayed a picture of the frustration in the club, while the emotional stammering from Salah has led to probing questions on manager Arne Slot and Liverpool’s direction.

First, Salah’s words aired the dismay among Liverpool’s fans, who had witnessed a season comprised of all the wrongs  inconsistency, defensive failures and missed chances. The forward, who has been shipped out at the end of the season, despite possessing a full year on contract, acknowledged the latest defeat was very “painful” and “unacceptable” for a club as “Liverpool”.

Rarely has Liverpool been beaten in all competitions so often – they are off to 19 defeats, a truly shocking figure from a team that won the Premier League title just a year ago. The Reds defence has been an embarrassment for so long it is hard not to notice as they have allowed 52 goals against in the league this season, the worst defensive record in years. It was a second time they showed up those loopholes when Aston Villa exploited the gap between Liverpool midfield and defence in the huge spaces in the second half.

But Salah’s objections didn’t stop there. The 33-year-old definitely had a downward trajectory in his identity under Slot. The back-to-back statements of “heavy metal football” were a nod to Klopp’s high-energy, high-pressure style that has been embraced by the whole park while in charge at Anfield. That was all about pressing, turning quickly, being aggressive and passionate — many fans feel these are things missing from this season’s football.

Liverpool identity is “not a negotiation” and every player joining the club has to “soak up the club’s culture,” said Salah. The words seemed to come out of a mix of an adieu and a warning. Salah’s pedigree inside Liverpool’s dressing room and among their fans is tremendous after nine years, in which the midfielder has gone from demoralisation to glory.

A few Liverpool players went on social media to publicly support Salah’s statement. What frustrations may exist, though, seem to have nothing to do with the fanbase as Curtis Jones, Hugo Ekitike, Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and others all interacted with the post. Liverpool legends such as Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold had also weighed in in support of Salah’s remarks, which further amplified the attention that Salah pulled for his comments.

President of the Netherlands manager Arsene Wenger says he remains convinced that he is the man for the job but amid the mounting pressure on Slot, the Dutchman has voiced concerns about the situation. Slot has been consistent in citing injuries as a big part of Liverpool’s woeful performance this season, as nine senior players missed out on matches recently. He also said that the transfer window could overhaul the side.

Nevertheless, there are many fans out there who aren’t convinced. Liverpool have been inconsistent and weak in various areas in the last few weeks. They haven’t been looking that sharp away from home against the big teams and looked completely out of control against Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Many parallels between Salah and Liverpool’s delivery could be drawn from his own season. The Egyptian has had a tough time this year after awing opponents with his penalty power as he logged 29 Premier League goals to lead Ralston into another season of glory a season ago. Before his last game at Anfield next weekend he has hit just 12 goals in 40 games for Liverpool in all competitions.

Despite that, however, Salah’s history at Liverpool is sure to remain intact. He has been a part of several memorable occasions in nearly 10 years and left behind the club with 257 goals, many major trophies and one of the greatest club players. Liverpool’s last public message from his lips wasn’t geared towards himself, but towards the future of the club.

Ultimately, Liverpool now find themselves in a stressful last week of the season as Champions League victory remains up for grabs. Depending on this game, Bournemouth and Brighton can still go ahead and beat the Reds on the road perhaps, but it could all come down to Liverpool’s clash with Brentford on the penultimate game of the season. If the Blues fail to secure European qualification, there will even be more pressure on the club and fresh questions over the club, as they go without Europe’s biggest competition.

Salah’s impassioned plea for Liverpool to ‘return to heavy metal football’ has resonated so well due to its authenticity. Liverpool supporters don’t just want wins, they want intensity, aggressiveness, conviction, football that’s true to your culture. The continuity of the team under Arne Slot next season may make the difference in the likelihood of him once more instilling that kind of magic in the club.

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