5 observations on Mohamed Salah’s debut training session at Liverpool

Prior to the upcoming season, Arne Slot welcomed back his next group of players for pre-season testing on Wednesday at the AXA Training Centre, including the Egyptian forward.

As new manager Arne Slot prepares ready for the upcoming season, Mohamed Salah has joined the group of players who have already returned to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season training.

After the summer break, the first group of players to train under Slot last Friday were Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Sepp van den Berg, Owen Beck, Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Kostas Tsimikas. On Wednesday, Salah and Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo reported for duty.

Before making a full comeback to training this week, the two underwent tests, and many Reds supporters were relieved to see Salah back in familiar surroundings for the first time since the end of the previous campaign. Prior to the season’s opening match, the Anfield mainstay hopes to make an immediate impression on his new manager.

Here are five observations made by Liverpool.com after watching Salah’s first preseason workout at the AXA Training Centre.

1) Salah’s new appearance

It would be difficult to begin this list without discussing Salah’s recent haircut, which is the main unresolved issue. In preparation for the 2024–25 season, the Egyptian has entirely changed his haircut, going from his distinctive afro to a buzz cut.

The Egyptian has been known to have made a makeover for some time now. He hinted at the big transformation with an Instagram shot earlier this summer, and last month, while on international duty, he was also pictured sporting the new appearance.

However, Salah’s formal return to preseason training has just highlighted it again, as seen by the images that prominently display his new haircut. The 32-year-old may don even more looks later in the season because the shaved head strongly suggests a hair transplant.

2) Initial conversation with Slot

The most awaited aspect of Salah’s comeback was perhaps his first official meeting with the new management. Slot had yet to meet some of the biggest names in the team, but he had already met a few first team players who had returned to training last Friday.

However, Salah’s comeback has given the Dutchman a chance to meet his star player, and it appears that things went rather well. The club shared footage of the two on social media, showing them chatting and grinning after Salah was greeted by his teammates and coaching staff upon his return.

Salah then greeted Slot, and the two hugged each other before laughing and chatting with another staff member inside the club canteen.

3) Still in shape

When Salah returned to pre-season, it was finally time to put him through his paces as part of a series of required tests after he had flaunted his new haircut and greeted everyone in the office.

But in one of these photos, the Egyptian is shown with his top off, and it’s safe to assume he hasn’t gained any more weight for the holidays. With nary a trace of fat on his frame, the forward was as ripped as ever, indicating that he is at the peak of his game going into the new campaign.

Although the exact tests Salah took on his first day back are unknown, it wouldn’t be shocking if he breezed through them all after getting back in top condition.

4) Ball movement

Images of the Egyptian player enjoying fun outside have surfaced, despite the fact that he was placed under observation for testing on Wednesday.

It’s not common for athletes to be able to work with the ball on their first day back, but it seems like this one was. It’s unclear if this was a part of training or just for fun, but it was encouraging to see the forward back with the ball at his feet.

After coming back with Endo, the two might have been readjusting to the scene by performing some light ball work together, or Salah might have even been honing his solo moves in front of the camera.

5) Gyming

On his first day back, Salah was also snapped at the gym, with some of the photos showing the winger leaning on a barbell. Wearing a form-fitting long sleeve shirt, he looked appropriately attired for the event.

In further photos, Salah was training one-on-one with a club physiotherapist. It looked like Salah was practicing his balance by doing a range of different exercises on a gym mat.

Salah seems to spend most of his time working out at the gym based on other pictures where he was seen working on different projects in other locations. The Egyptian undoubtedly didn’t take his first day off, as seen by his unwavering commitment to being the best.