Arne Slot’s return to Marseille stirred memories of a defining moment in his managerial career. It was at the Stade Vélodrome back in 2022 that his Feyenoord side showed immense resilience, doing just enough to book their place in the Europa Conference League final. Those experiences clearly lingered as Slot prepared for another high-pressure European night in the same city.
On the eve of Liverpool’s clash with Marseille, Slot was asked about those memories, though the press conference took an awkward turn when he was unexpectedly questioned about Xabi Alonso’s supposed links with the Liverpool managerial role. The question felt out of place and unnecessary, but any background noise surrounding the future of the Liverpool head coach was swiftly silenced by his team’s performance on the pitch.
Liverpool produced another assured display away from home in Europe, adding Marseille to an already impressive list of sides they have beaten on their travels this season, including Eintracht Frankfurt and Inter Milan. These victories have underlined Liverpool’s growing authority in hostile environments and their ability to manage difficult occasions with composure.
While Liverpool’s recent run of results may not always have thrilled supporters, the numbers tell a compelling story. The club are now unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions, recording seven wins and six draws. That sequence represents the longest active unbeaten run among teams from Europe’s top five leagues. Liverpool have not tasted defeat since November, and even if performances have sometimes lacked sparkle, consistency at this level deserves recognition.
For Slot personally, the Marseille victory carried extra significance. It marked Liverpool’s first win in a match started by Mohamed Salah since their Champions League triumph over Real Madrid on November 4. That statistic had begun to attract unwanted attention following Salah’s post-match interview after the game at Leeds, which had hinted at frustration. Now, it appears a clear line has been drawn under the situation, allowing both manager and player to refocus fully on the club’s objectives.
The truth is that Slot and Salah are mutually dependent. Liverpool need Salah’s goals and experience, while Salah thrives within a system that maximises his attacking strengths. Speaking before the match to TNT Sports, Slot acknowledged as much.
“When I didn’t start him in certain games, it was because I wanted to try something different,” Slot explained. “We had plenty of possession but missed goals. If there is one player in Liverpool’s history you would trust to score, it is Mohamed Salah.”
Although Salah did not add to his remarkable tally of 46 Champions League goals for Liverpool on this occasion, it was not for lack of opportunity. Early in the second half, he found space but fired wide when he would normally be expected to score. Despite that miss, Salah’s overall contribution was valuable, and crucially, Liverpool were not made to pay for it as they found the net three times.
Slot’s tactical approach on the night also offered encouragement. Liverpool lined up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, a shape that provided balance, control and attacking fluidity. The confidence with which the team executed the system will have pleased the manager and could influence his selection and tactical decisions in the weeks ahead.
Reflecting on Salah’s performance, Slot praised the forward’s professionalism, particularly after his recent international commitments. “It says a lot about what kind of professional he is,” Slot said. “He had been away for more than a month with another team and still managed to play 90 minutes for us after just one day of training.”
The manager also acknowledged how close Salah came to scoring. “Normally, that chance would be a goal for him,” Slot added. “But it didn’t hurt us because the team scored three goals.”
That collective attacking output underlined a broader theme of the performance: Liverpool’s ability to function effectively even when their most prolific scorer does not find the net. It demonstrated depth, adaptability and a growing understanding of Slot’s methods.
As Liverpool continue to navigate a demanding domestic and European schedule, nights like this in Marseille could prove pivotal. The win reinforced their unbeaten momentum, quietened external speculation, and strengthened the relationship between manager and star player. For Slot, it was another reminder that Marseille is a place where resilience and belief can bring rewards—and this time, it was Liverpool who left the Vélodrome with the memories.
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