'No hiding place': Ex-Liverpool ace issues Mo Salah warning to players

Despite a summer of astronomical spending, which included the arrivals of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, the Reds limped to a top-five finish in a trophyless campaign.

Mo Salah has since left the club after nine years, departing as a club legend, while Slot has been sacked and replaced with former Bournemouth messiah Andoni Iraola.

While expectations are more measured ahead of the Premier League season, a former Champions League-winning Liverpool midfielder has sent the current squad a stark warning.

Liverpool no longer have Mo Salah excuse

Qualifying for the Champions League would usually represent a positive season at Anfield, but when you are reigning Premier League champions, those expectations are understandably heightened.

However, the concerning factor that tarnished Slot's reputation and ultimately cost him his job was the poor performances combined with the inability to get a tune out of the majority of the new signings.

Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann, speaking exclusively to DAZN News via Andy's Bet Club, has outlined the expectations of fans while addressing Salah's exit.

"I think what the fans want to see is a team where they get a good feeling," said Hamann. "When they leave Anfield, they want to know that the team left everything out there. I think at times last season they didn't really look like a team. 

"Maybe that Salah issue was a problem within the squad. Obviously, there's no hiding place now for these players because last season, or even the season before towards the end, you could always say, ‘Salah is not doing this, or not doing that.’

"He can't do it all on his own, and he's gone now. So, there's no hiding place. I think the supporters want to see a team where they leave Anfield, or leave the away ground, saying, ‘Well, this is our team.’ I don't think that's been the case recently."

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Didi Hamann outlines Andoni Iraola expectations

While Arsenal are outright favourites to retain the Premier League title, doing so is no easy feat and Liverpool are amongst the outsiders to challenge for the trophy.

Hamann, who lifted eight major trophies during his time on Merseyside, does not expect significant progress under Iraola, acknowledging what happened last term.

"In terms of expectations, I'd probably go back two years to what I said then: if Slot finishes in the top four and qualifies for the Champions League, I think he's done a good job. Nobody could really have foreseen him winning the league like he did. 

"I think the same goes for Iraola: a top-four finish and I think he’s had a decent first season. Don't forget, they only got into the Champions League this season because England got fifth place due to the outstanding success of English teams in Europe."

Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

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