Arne Slot has responded to Mohamed Salah's recent criticism of Liverpool's playing style, saying the forward was happy enough when they won the Premier League last year.
In a social media post after last week's defeat at Aston Villa Salah, who will bring to a close his storied nine-year spell at Anfield after Sunday's home game with Brentford, said he wanted to see a return to "heavy-metal football".
That was a reference to former manager Jurgen Klopp, under whom Salah enjoyed his greatest form, and the post was liked by 12 members of the current squad.
However, in a pointed response, the Dutchman claimed that the evolution in the game meant it was never going to be easy to replicate the approach which led to last season's title-winning success.
"You are doing a lot of assumptions; first of all you say that he wants to play that style and then say it is not my style," said the Liverpool head coach.
"I think Mo was really happy with the style we played last year as it led to us winning the league.
"Football has changed, football has evolved, but we both want what is best for Liverpool and that is for us to compete for trophies, which we haven't done this season.
"He and the team - and I was included in that - brought the league title back after five years and we would like to challenge for that again next season and continue to evolve the team. That is my take on it.
"We have to find that right balance of still being able to compete, but definitely also play the brand and style of football the fans want to see and I want my team to play."
Meanwhile, Slot insists it has been business as usual on the training ground and says he has not been undermined by Salah's latest comments.
"What I know, and that is my world, is to see how they train and I have not seen anything different compared to the rest of the season," he said.
"Out of experience I know that is usually not the most simple week but the boys trained really well and I'm expecting them to do the same in the upcoming two days.
"I don't think it is that important what I feel about it. What is important is that we qualify for the Champions League on Sunday and I prepare Mo and the whole team in the best possible way for the game."
Fifth-placed Liverpool still need a point to guarantee Champions League football next season, although a goal difference six superior to Bournemouth, three points behind, should be enough of a safeguard.
With further rebuilding planned in the summer to replace the likes of Salah and long-serving left-back Andy Robertson, who is also leaving, Slot knows how crucial returning to Europe's elite-level competition is.
"That has an impact on our plans. That is definite," he said.
