Arne Slot has rejected claims that standards are slipping at Liverpool, insisting his squad already has enough leaders heading into next season.
Mohamed Salah raised concerns last week, suggesting the right example – particularly in areas such as extra gym work – may not be maintained after his departure this summer following nine years at the club.
Captain Virgil van Dijk also admitted after the 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United that “a lot of work needs to be done behind the scenes” following a disappointing title defence.
However, Slot has firmly dismissed fears over the squad’s culture, despite expected changes that could also see Andy Robertson leave and uncertainty surrounding Alisson Becker’s future.
“Does Virgil mean the same as what Mo is saying? And what Mo is saying is that standards are really important for a football club,” said the Reds boss.
“I cannot agree more with him! I did not hear him say that the standards are not okay now. Did you?
“I’m not worried about it, let’s put it that way. I’m not worried that the standards will be lower next season than they were this season, or the season before or the season before. No. I’m not worried about it. At all.”
In reference to where standards must be met, Slot pointedly stated: “The standards are not only important in the gym. It’s also on the pitch. Okay. You understand me? Without me saying anything?”
During an impassioned exchange with journalists at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Chelsea, Slot gripped the chair in front of him as he forcefully rejected suggestions that new signings have failed to meet the club’s high standards.
“I wish I was able to say what I feel at this moment but I can’t,” he said. “So, how will I answer that question then?
“As I said, I completely agree with him (Salah) how important these standards are. I think they (standards) are in a good place at the moment.
“I think it also makes sense that younger players – it doesn’t have to be the new players, it can be the seven-year-old that comes from the Academy – they usually gets the example of players like Mo and others for them to understand and to know what it takes to play every three days at this level.
“I see – and I think – that our younger players have improved in this already. I am completely convinced that we have enough players next season – and, add to that, the ones that we will sign – to put the standards exactly into the place they are needed.”
While another busy transfer window is expected at Liverpool, Slot does not believe new signings are needed to address the leadership qualities within his squad despite scrutiny during a difficult campaign.
“I’m not saying that we need to sign them,” he said. “I think we have them already.
“As I said, senior players are not the only ones who set the standards at a club. If I look at Paris Saint-Germain: Desire Doue is 20, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is 25. Can they set standards for another generation or for a team?
“I don’t know what time they are in the gym, by the way. But I do know they set the right standards on the pitch.
“And this is what Mo did when he was 26. I don’t think it comes down to ages that only 32 or 33-year-old players can set standards. They have lived it and experienced it and know what it takes to play at this level.
“But come on, we are not talking about Florian Wirtz or Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak and all these players we signed. They are not children, these are serious professionals that now know what it takes to play in the Premier League and Champions League at this level.”
Arne Slot added: “It can only be better but it is not only down to 34-year-olds. They can definitely be a big help which they have been in the last two seasons and Virgil will still be next season as well.
“Standards can also be set by a 20-year-old, like Doue, or Salah who played for Liverpool when he was 26, he was also the first one in the gym then. That did not only start when he is what age he is now. It is not age related.
“Do standards come from the manager? 100%, he is very important. Players can help in that but it is definitely also that the manager sets standards as well.”
Read more: Alexander Isak and Giorgi Mamardashvili back in training ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea
Alexis Mac Allister remains committed to Liverpool despite no contract talks