Latest news with #FWAFootballeroftheYear
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mo Salah: Arne Slot Promised 'I'll Get the Best Out of You'
Salah's Message to Slot: 'With Me You're Going to Win the Premier League' In an emotional and candid interview following his third FWA Footballer of the Year award, Mo Salah reflected on a season of personal triumph and team success at Liverpool. With manager Arne Slot ushering in a new chapter at Anfield, Salah's words captured the hunger, ambition, and relentless work ethic that have defined his time on Merseyside. Setting Records and Lifting Trophies Winning the award for a third time placed Salah in elite company. 'It means a lot to me to be fair to win it, especially helping the team to win the big trophy,' he said. This season marked a first for Salah, winning the prestigious individual award in a year where Liverpool secured the Premier League title. Advertisement The forward underlined the synergy between personal and team goals: 'If I'm not having that incredible season, it will be tough always to win something.' A season packed with goals and assists, Salah described it as 'way more special' than previous campaigns due to its decisive impact on Liverpool's title triumph. Honest Talks with Arne Slot Salah's bond with new manager Arne Slot was forged early through clear expectations. 'I told him… with me you're going to win the Premier League, but I have to feel really comfortable with the way we play.' Slot, in turn, replied: 'I will get the best out of you… but I need you to provide numbers.' This mutual understanding, rooted in transparency and shared ambition, shaped Liverpool's campaign. Salah praised Slot's detailed, hard-working approach: 'You start to see how smart he is… how much he wanted. You just see how into details he is.' Advertisement Their partnership paid off handsomely. Salah admitted: 'I didn't even dream to have that great season… scoring every game and assist every game and breaking all the records. It's incredible.' Photo: IMAGO Loyalty to Liverpool and the Fans Discussing his contract extension, Salah reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool: 'I always wanted to stay, but I know my value.' He stressed the mutual agreement needed with the club, eventually agreeing to stay for two more years. His love for the club and city was unmistakable: 'Since I came here, I give them everything, every game, every time I step on the field.' The now-iconic selfie with fans was emblematic of that bond. Advertisement Asked about his goals for the future, Salah was concise and determined: 'Just win the Premier League again and the Champions League.' New Era, Same Determination With Liverpool entering a post-Klopp era, Salah views the current phase as an opportunity to reaffirm his legacy: 'I wanted to prove that I'm still doing it now and with a different coach, with different players.' He was also clear about his physical form: 'I feel very fit and always ready to play.' From warm-ups to chess in his downtime, Salah leaves nothing to chance. This season, for Salah, wasn't just about records. It was about relevance. 'I showed everybody that I could do it without any other player or the manager in the past.' It's a reminder that while managers may change, Salah's standards remain constant.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Five Premier League players whose form declined in 2024/25
While the 2024/25 Premier League season was one to celebrate for many, there are some who will be keen to see the end of the campaign. For some, it was a season in which they failed to reach previous heights. There's an old age saying in football that form is temporary and class is permanent, a sentiment this group will be hoping is true ahead of next season. Advertisement We've looked at five Premier League players who regressed in 2024/25. Five Premier League players whose form declined in 2024/25 Phil Foden (Manchester City) Last season saw Phil Foden fulfil the potential that had long been Manchester City's worst-kept secret. The homegrown jewel stepped out of the shadow of Kevin De Bruyne to inspire the club's title success, claiming the PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards in the process. Foden scored 27 goals in all competitions in 2023/24 but was unable to replicate those returns this time around. The 24-year-old scored a respectable 10 goals in 45 games but lacked the star quality that had defined the previous year. He didn't score his first league goal until December and spent the second half of the campaign on the fringes of the team. A niggling ankle issue and off-the-field issues have impacted Foden's form, while there's a suggestion of burn-out. Foden has played a lot of football since bursting onto the scene as a teenager and needs a summer of recovery to come again. Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United) Rasmus Hojlund handled the demands of his £72m price tag well enough in season one, scoring 16 goals in all competitions during an encouraging debut campaign at Manchester United. For a novice forward in just his second season in a top-five league, it was viewed as a promising sign of things to come. Advertisement Fast forward a year and Hojlund's future is uncertain. The Denmark international managed just four league goals and looked visibly overwhelmed by the pressure at Old Trafford. In a struggling side, he floundered, with his hold-up play poor and confidence clearly impacted. Manchester United were the fifth-lowest scorers in the Premier League in 2024/25 and are in the market for at least one centre-forward this summer. A potential return to Serie A has been mooted for Hojlund. Raheem Sterling (Arsenal) When Raheem Sterling signed for Arsenal last summer, the winger promised the Gunners would see 'the best' of him. It hasn't turned out to be the case and Sterling's best has not been seen for quite some time. Advertisement His two seasons at Chelsea were viewed as underwhelming, but even they look impressive in comparison to his 2024/25. Sterling scored just once in 27 games for Arsenal – in a League Cup win over third-tier Bolton – and failed to break into the side despite injuries sidelining multiple attacking options. On high wages and with a contract until 2027, Chelsea could have trouble offloading the 30-year-old. Andy Robertson (Liverpool) It feels harsh to nominate a player who made 33 league appearances for the runaway title winners, but Andy Robertson is a victim of his own sky-high standards. The Scotland captain's decline has been over-exaggerated at times this season, though Robertson's full-throttle football has slowed. Uncharacteristic mistakes have crept into his game as a result, while the 31-year-old provided just a single Premier League assist. While an Anfield exit would surprise, Liverpool appear to be pushing ahead with a succession plan. Talks are ongoing to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) Mohammed Kudus was one of the signings of the season last campaign, with the Ghana international scoring 14 goals for West Ham in 2023/24. He led Europe's top five leagues for successful take-ons and claimed the club's Goal of the Season with a stunning individual effort in Europe. Advertisement A fan favourite, he's looked a poor imitation of that player this time around. Kudus mustered just five goals for the campaign as West Ham limped to a 14th-place finish. There's understood to be transfer interest in Kudus this summer, though suitors may have reservations over activating his £85m release clause based on his inconsistency this season. Read – Our Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25 See Also – The best goals of the 2024/25 Premier League season Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
North Wales Chronicle
7 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Arne Slot says Liverpool need ‘elite mentality' to retain Premier League title
Since securing only their second title in 35 years at the end of last month the Reds have taken one point – a draw against Arsenal after being 2-0 up – from three subsequent matches, as the Dutchman gave fringe players pitch time. They had lost just two league matches all season up to that point and, while he is expected to name a strong team for visit of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the final match of the season at Anfield ahead of the trophy presentation, Slot accepts the intensity understandably dropped as soon as the race was over. 'We have a lot to compete for next season again but what I don't know yet – and that's going to be the interesting one – is if we have this elite mentality, this serial winner mentality, of showing up season after season after season,' he said. 'Many teams have won the Premier League once but not many have won multiple seasons in a row – and that's for a reason. 'First of all, because it's so difficult. Second of all, that not every player has this elite mentality. 'When I talk about Mo (Mohamed Salah), it's not a coincidence that he's for seven years already on a certain level and he was the one that was the most fittest when we arrived back after the (summer) break. 'That is a mentality you need to have to have a chance of becoming a serial winner. 'This is something we have to prove and the players have to prove – and me as well – during the off-season. 'The first day for me to judge if we have a chance to become serial winners is July 8 when I see them back (for pre-season).' Former manager Jurgen Klopp, in the city after being guest of honour at Friday's LFC Foundation Gala Dinner, will be in the stands to see his former players receive their silverware. Slot will take great pride in seeing Virgil van Dijk lift the trophy as, even after just one season in which his side have won the league at a canter, he knows how difficult an achievement it is. 'I think proud sums up the (feeling) most because after working here for a year now I know how hard it is,' he added. 'It is the hardest trophy to win because cup trophies, you can win those by a lucky draw or being lucky in two or three games or win a penalty shoot-out and then you arrive in a final. A quick word with the FWA Footballer of the Year 💬🏆 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 23, 2025 'But it is always harder to win the league because it is 38 games in a period of time where I think the league has never been as strong as it is and there has never been as much competition for teams to even go to the Champions League. 'And there has not been a season where 16th and 17th play in the final of the Europa League. 'That is what makes it so hard so it will be a proud moment for me, the players and the fans so let's hope it's going to be special.'
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Arne Slot says Liverpool need ‘elite mentality' to retain Premier League title
Since securing only their second title in 35 years at the end of last month the Reds have taken one point – a draw against Arsenal after being 2-0 up – from three subsequent matches, as the Dutchman gave fringe players pitch time. They had lost just two league matches all season up to that point and, while he is expected to name a strong team for visit of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the final match of the season at Anfield ahead of the trophy presentation, Slot accepts the intensity understandably dropped as soon as the race was over. 'We have a lot to compete for next season again but what I don't know yet – and that's going to be the interesting one – is if we have this elite mentality, this serial winner mentality, of showing up season after season after season,' he said. 'Many teams have won the Premier League once but not many have won multiple seasons in a row – and that's for a reason. 'First of all, because it's so difficult. Second of all, that not every player has this elite mentality. 'When I talk about Mo (Mohamed Salah), it's not a coincidence that he's for seven years already on a certain level and he was the one that was the most fittest when we arrived back after the (summer) break. 'That is a mentality you need to have to have a chance of becoming a serial winner. 'This is something we have to prove and the players have to prove – and me as well – during the off-season. 'The first day for me to judge if we have a chance to become serial winners is July 8 when I see them back (for pre-season).' Former manager Jurgen Klopp, in the city after being guest of honour at Friday's LFC Foundation Gala Dinner, will be in the stands to see his former players receive their silverware. Slot will take great pride in seeing Virgil van Dijk lift the trophy as, even after just one season in which his side have won the league at a canter, he knows how difficult an achievement it is. 'I think proud sums up the (feeling) most because after working here for a year now I know how hard it is,' he added. 'It is the hardest trophy to win because cup trophies, you can win those by a lucky draw or being lucky in two or three games or win a penalty shoot-out and then you arrive in a final. A quick word with the FWA Footballer of the Year 💬🏆 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 23, 2025 'But it is always harder to win the league because it is 38 games in a period of time where I think the league has never been as strong as it is and there has never been as much competition for teams to even go to the Champions League. 'And there has not been a season where 16th and 17th play in the final of the Europa League. 'That is what makes it so hard so it will be a proud moment for me, the players and the fans so let's hope it's going to be special.'
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Arne Slot says Liverpool need ‘elite mentality' to retain Premier League title
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes he will only know if his Premier League champions have the serial winner mentality when they return after their summer holidays. Since securing only their second title in 35 years at the end of last month the Reds have taken one point – a draw against Arsenal after being 2-0 up – from three subsequent matches, as the Dutchman gave fringe players pitch time. They had lost just two league matches all season up to that point and, while he is expected to name a strong team for visit of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the final match of the season at Anfield ahead of the trophy presentation, Slot accepts the intensity understandably dropped as soon as the race was over. 'We have a lot to compete for next season again but what I don't know yet – and that's going to be the interesting one – is if we have this elite mentality, this serial winner mentality, of showing up season after season after season,' he said. 'Many teams have won the Premier League once but not many have won multiple seasons in a row – and that's for a reason. 'First of all, because it's so difficult. Second of all, that not every player has this elite mentality. 'When I talk about Mo (Mohamed Salah), it's not a coincidence that he's for seven years already on a certain level and he was the one that was the most fittest when we arrived back after the (summer) break. 'That is a mentality you need to have to have a chance of becoming a serial winner. 'This is something we have to prove and the players have to prove – and me as well – during the off-season. 'The first day for me to judge if we have a chance to become serial winners is July 8 when I see them back (for pre-season).' Former manager Jurgen Klopp, in the city after being guest of honour at Friday's LFC Foundation Gala Dinner, will be in the stands to see his former players receive their silverware. Slot will take great pride in seeing Virgil van Dijk lift the trophy as, even after just one season in which his side have won the league at a canter, he knows how difficult an achievement it is. 'I think proud sums up the (feeling) most because after working here for a year now I know how hard it is,' he added. 'It is the hardest trophy to win because cup trophies, you can win those by a lucky draw or being lucky in two or three games or win a penalty shoot-out and then you arrive in a final. A quick word with the FWA Footballer of the Year 💬🏆 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 23, 2025 'But it is always harder to win the league because it is 38 games in a period of time where I think the league has never been as strong as it is and there has never been as much competition for teams to even go to the Champions League. 'And there has not been a season where 16th and 17th play in the final of the Europa League. 'That is what makes it so hard so it will be a proud moment for me, the players and the fans so let's hope it's going to be special.'
