In the matchday programme, both Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk wrote how the team’s performances and results had not been good enough.
Liverpool are already facing an uphill task to retain their title, with leaders Arsenal seven points ahead of them – having not conceded a goal since the end of September.
However, there can be no doubt that this result has massively lifted the mood around Anfield before a crunch period for the club, with one of their all-time greats playing a vital role.
Salah will not have scored many easier goals for the Reds than the one he was presented with just before half-time, when he was gifted the ball by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the 33-year-old Egyptian slotting into the unguarded net.
It was a landmark goal in the club’s history as Salah became only the third man, after Ian Rush on 346 and Roger Hunt on 285, to reach the 250-goal mark for Liverpool.
“It’s almost unbelievable if you score 250 goals for one club,” added Slot. “Even if you score 250 goals overall it will be unbelievable.
“He had a very good performance. He didn’t only do his offensive work, he helped the team out defensively very well. I liked his performance tonight and it’s special for him to get 250 goals for Liverpool.”
Salah has helped Liverpool win the Premier League twice and Champions League once, as well as playing a starring role in them lifting the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup during his eight years at Anfield – following his £34m move from Roma in 2017.
While the four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner only has four league goals this season, Slot will be excited by Salah’s performance – repeatedly cutting in from the right flank to run at the Villa defence.
Lucas Digne was given a tough time at left-back and, if Liverpool are to have any hope of success this season, they need Salah somewhere near his best form.
Salah admitted he had not been at the top of his game in an interview with TNT Sports and said: “It’s very important [to get the win today], we’ve had a few losses in the Premier League and Champions League. I’m glad we are back on track now, and it’s a big push before some important games.
“It’s a very tricky season for us because we have a few new players, they are very good players but they need time to adapt. We lost some players too. It takes time to adapt and know each other’s games, but everything will be fine.”
On scoring 250 goals for Liverpool, Salah added: “It’s a great feeling to score goals for such a big club, it’s something I don’t take for granted, I’m so proud and happy about that achievement.”
