What Arne Slot was heard yelling at Liverpool players following Mo Salah’s goal vs Bournemouth.
Liverpool faced a big test of their title credentials on Saturday as they visited in-form Bournemouth.
The Reds knew they could lay down a marker against the Cherries who were unbeaten across 12 matches in all competitions.
With Arsenal and Man City facing off in a huge Premier League battle on Sunday, a Liverpool win would put all the pressure on their title rivals.
As predicted, it was a difficult start for the Reds at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth love to play on the front foot and their active pressing put the Liverpool defence under some real pressure early doors.
But having taken the lead through a Mohamed Salah penalty on 30 minutes, the Reds took more control of the game. And watching on from the side lines, Arne Slot was heard urging his team on.
Arne Slot pleads for Liverpool control
Bournemouth are a really tough team to play against. Having thumped Newcastle and Bournemouth back-to-back, Liverpool knew they had to be wary on the south coast.
However, the Reds are no picnic to play against as well, and that bore out as they handled the home side before taking the lead.
It was a soft penalty for sure, with Cody Gakpo appearing to trip himself rather than any contact coming from Lewis Cook.
Nevertheless, with his team 1-0 up, journalist Lewis Steele shared what he heard the Liverpool head coach shouting at his players.
“Arne Slot just shouted ‘control’ a couple of times as Liverpool threatened to counter,” Steele reported on X.
“Wants them to keep the ball and slow it down to get to half-time at 1-0 and avoid being counter-countered.”
https://x.com/LewisSteele_/status/1885716675510550932?t=mCqSCPkSEK99opcuUQA4HA&s=19
Mohamed Salah draws level with Roger Hunt
Liverpool were able to heed Slot’s words and did safely make it to half-time with their lead intact.
It was a big goal from Salah, who has missed a couple of penalties against Bournemouth in the past.
But after firing his spot-kick past Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Egyptian moved up another goal scoring chart in Liverpool history to draw level with the great Roger Hunt.
That puts him above Ian Rush and level with Hunt. The only man above him is Gordon Hodgson, who managed the feat in seven campaigns. Will Mo get the chance to add to his tally next season?
