Liverpool boss Arne Slot has conceded that Mohamed Salah is 'not happy' after being omitted from the starting line-up for Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Ham, a decision that ended the Egyptian’s ever-present role in the Reds' league campaign to date.
Salah, who has long been regarded as the linchpin of Liverpool’s attack, was named among the substitutes at the London Stadium as Slot sought to arrest a run of form that had seen the Premier League champions lose nine of their previous 12 matches.
In the end, he remained on the bench throughout the 90 minutes, watching from the technical area as Alexander Isak’s first Premier League goal for Liverpool and Cody Gakpo’s late strike secured a badly needed victory.
Slot acknowledged that leaving Salah out brought an unsurprising reaction from one of the club’s most competitive and driven figures.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
“It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said afterwards.
“I say that mildly as he's been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.
"But the way he behaved was as you'd expect from such a professional, he supported his teammates and handled himself really well.”
Liverpool have struggled in the Premier League this term as they look to defend their title
|PA
Mohamed Salah has scored just four Premier League goals for Liverpool this season | PAThe head coach emphasised that Salah’s professionalism has never wavered, irrespective of his form.
“You can’t be a player that has to play every three days to high standard but he's so disciplined and knows what to do to stay fit,” Slot said.
“Whether he plays well, doesn't play well, plays or doesn't play, he'll always be that top professional.”
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Gary Lineker signs huge deal with former MOTD host set to earn more than his £1.35m-a-year BBC contract
- Former England and Premier League footballer arrested at UK airport on suspicion of attempted rape
- Gary Speed's mother gives heartbreaking interview about football hero 14 years on from tragic death
Alexander Isak scored for Liverpool in their win over West Ham on Sunday with Mohamed Salah on the bench
| GETTYThe decision to bench Salah, taken against the backdrop of Liverpool’s rapid slide down the table, was believed to be solely tactical.
Slot has been under pressure to arrest defensive disorganisation and attacking inconsistency, and Sunday’s performance suggested a recalibrated approach might be taking hold.
However, Salah’s absence has raised questions about how the head coach will manage the forward’s workload in the weeks before he departs to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool expect to have Salah available for four more matches - against Sunderland, Leeds, Inter Milan and Brighton - before he leaves for international duty.
Slot confirmed that the 33-year-old will join Egypt’s squad on December 15.
“It’s 15 December,” he said.
Mohamed Salah could return for Liverpool against Sunderland on Wednesday night
| GETTY“But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”
The tournament in Ivory Coast, which runs until January 18, will remove Salah from Liverpool’s plans at a crucial stage of the season, potentially including multiple league fixtures and key cup commitments.
Salah is expected to return to Liverpool’s starting XI when Sunderland visit Anfield on Wednesday, although Slot offered no guarantees.
His total of just four Premier League goals points to a player on the wane and links with a potential move away have started to arise again.
While Liverpool have struggled this term, Sunderland are flying.
The Black Cats sit sixth in the table and, on Saturday, came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light.