Arne Slot hailed the professionalism of Mohamed Salah as he stressed that Liverpool must learn to play without the Egyptian.
Salah registered 57 goal involvements in all competitions for Liverpool last term, but has failed to hit the same heights this season.
And after Liverpool lost three games on the spin, Slot elected to drop Salah to the bench for Sunday's Premier League trip to West Ham.
It was the first time under Slot that Salah did not start a Premier League game for Liverpool.
In fact, it was the first time he was not named in the starting XI for the Reds since April 2024, also away against West Ham – ending a run of 53 successive league starts.
Liverpool came away with a 2-0 win, but ahead of the Reds facing Sunderland on Wednesday, Slot stressed that Salah is still very much key to his plans.
However, Slot warned that, with the Africa Cup of Nations coming up later in December, Liverpool must get used to operating without Salah, anyway.
"It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us, and I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future," Slot said.
"He wasn't the only one who wasn't happy that he wasn't starting and that is normal.
"He is so disciplined – he knows what to do to stay fit.
"No matter if he plays well or if he doesn't play well, if he plays or doesn't play, he will always be that top professional and that's what he was in the last two days.
"With all players around the world, there are also phases in your time at the club where they are human. He's scored so many goals for us, and I am sure he will in the future."
Slot confirmed that Salah will depart to join up with Egypt's squad on December 15, two days after Liverpool play Brighton.
"We have to find a way to play without him because he won't be here," Slot said.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
While Liverpool coped without Salah just fine against West Ham, Slot may be tempted to play the 33-year-old against Sunderland, given the forward's record against promoted clubs.
Salah has scored eight goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against promoted sides.
However, Sunderland are one of four teams he has faced without scoring against in his top-flight career, though his only game against them was for Chelsea in a 2-1 defeat back in April 2014.
Sunderland – Brian Brobbey
Brobbey netted Sunderland's winner in their 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light last time out.
All three of Brobbey's Premier League goals (two) and assists (one) this season have either put Sunderland in the lead (two) or drawn them level (one), coming off the bench in all three of those matches, with his most memorable goal being their equaliser in a 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal.
Sydii
0
Not really, look at Jones, he is clapping rather than covering a player to stop counter attacks. Look at Gravenberch, lost and doesn't cover any player. Only Konate was positioned right. What matters is what you do without the ball.... Klopp said that.
True that... Jones is reliability, Salah is no exception too this season... Grav looks tired...
Vumilmpsuz
0
Slot should stop sucking on Salah's cock. Yes he is a top professional and an absolute legend of our beloved club but there is no denying the fact that we are worse off with him in the pitch. He makes us so vulnerable because he doesn't press at all and now he even has problem with finishing chances that were created for him. We are playing so well without him, I suggest that this January we give him a farewell deserving of a legend and go get Semenyo or any lethal winger out there. Salah can't cope with the intensity of the league anymore, there is a reason no top team in the league is fielding a winger who is more than 30 yrs old. We need to let him go, we can't be left behind because of our emotions, this is Liverpool FC and not Salah FC. I'm saying this without remorse.
Nicely said
Fewcdlnpru
0
mamad sal
Fewcdlnpru
1
ሰለ
Najakat
1
Salah Is the legend
Rugged10
2
This slot of a man should go and learn from the people who are experienced more than him He should just bench salah for just two match,then he will see how it is done
my-blood-is-red
0
I don't know why Salah cult his AIR maybe he also cult his lucky
was he not lucky last season
wepabltuy
0
This is just one of those moments that he does.. Even though he had Szobo behind, Mac was the nearest... But he decides to go back and make a scrambled pass.. The truth Liverpool's attack is not functioning well this season because Salah takes years to release the ball.. He barely does the right thing when he is in the box...
Not really, look at Jones, he is clapping rather than covering a player to stop counter attacks. Look at Gravenberch, lost and doesn't cover any player. Only Konate was positioned right. What matters is what you do without the ball.... Klopp said that.
Wosabrstz
1
I don't know why Salah cult his AIR maybe he also cult his lucky
wewabelru
2
Sack this useless Slot please.
DesmondPeter
2
Slot should stop sucking on Salah's cock. Yes he is a top professional and an absolute legend of our beloved club but there is no denying the fact that we are worse off with him in the pitch. He makes us so vulnerable because he doesn't press at all and now he even has problem with finishing chances that were created for him. We are playing so well without him, I suggest that this January we give him a farewell deserving of a legend and go get Semenyo or any lethal winger out there. Salah can't cope with the intensity of the league anymore, there is a reason no top team in the league is fielding a winger who is more than 30 yrs old. We need to let him go, we can't be left behind because of our emotions, this is Liverpool FC and not Salah FC. I'm saying this without remorse.
Zezaceioz
0
SLOT... wake up... SALAH has been the problem for a long time.... he was lucky nobody notes , yeah he scored a goal but a side from that, he didn't create, he didn't defend and only waited in the right wing to be fed.... while LUIS AND DARWING doing the dirty work....one of the reasons why those two boys are not in the team.... selfish Salah didn't care for those boys.... but now is a different story with different players and they are not going to put up with selfish SALAH... but we have the problem with overrated Coach SLOT..
You need to judge rightly. what about the games Salah played, scored and we won't at the end of 90mins. You need to understand that Salah is aging and he can't be as active as he used to be so learn to appreciate his good works and stop shaming him.
Zezaceioz
0
SLOT... wake up... SALAH has been the problem for a long time.... he was lucky nobody notes , yeah he scored a goal but a side from that, he didn't create, he didn't defend and only waited in the right wing to be fed.... while LUIS AND DARWING doing the dirty work....one of the reasons why those two boys are not in the team.... selfish Salah didn't care for those boys.... but now is a different story with different players and they are not going to put up with selfish SALAH... but we have the problem with overrated Coach SLOT..
u don't understand football
Fesadeilnt
1
ok..... supporters of Salah.... watch the next game.... he SUCKS
haaacirs
1
Salah is never the problem but Arne Slot!
wepabltuy
0
Without Salah Liverpool plays better, I’m not talking only about this season, remember out ot this world win against Barcelona 4:0 second leg at Anfield, i am sbsolutely sure reds won because Salah didn’t play that game.
I don't know what you watch, count only the key passes this season and then post. What's his problem if others are just wasting shots. Againt West Ham, they barely managed to create chances or good key plays.
Jemakruz
1
wasn't selfish,last season, and isn't that he was fed by liuz and Darwin,,,that is what he does most of time,,stop confusing people ,how come he'was selfish but,,hes the first assist on English premier league????
Jeoelopru
2
LOL slot is the problem
nodclmotz
1
Illyrian
0
Without Salah Liverpool plays better, I’m not talking only about this season, remember out ot this world win against Barcelona 4:0 second leg at Anfield, i am sbsolutely sure reds won because Salah didn’t play that game.
Sydii
0
If he really beleives that Salah is the problem of Liverpool, then he certainly need to find another sport. Slot will keep pushing LFC down with Kerkez, Gravenberch, and experiments of strikers and right backs.... not to mention the stupid out of positions when they have the ball. A clip that shows how lost Gravenberch , Jones or even Kerkez who was late to process that Salah was actually making a key pass.
[image]
This is just one of those moments that he does.. Even though he had Szobo behind, Mac was the nearest... But he decides to go back and make a scrambled pass.. The truth Liverpool's attack is not functioning well this season because Salah takes years to release the ball.. He barely does the right thing when he is in the box...
Fesadeilnt
1
SLOT... wake up... SALAH has been the problem for a long time.... he was lucky nobody notes , yeah he scored a goal but a side from that, he didn't create, he didn't defend and only waited in the right wing to be fed.... while LUIS AND DARWING doing the dirty work....one of the reasons why those two boys are not in the team.... selfish Salah didn't care for those boys.... but now is a different story with different players and they are not going to put up with selfish SALAH... but we have the problem with overrated Coach SLOT..
Juniorpope
1
Sunderland will finish us
Zecbemt
0
Lamine yamal
Zecbemt
0
asc m.salax
Liueikmosu
0
Sarah is the most capdeplayer Liverpool,
wepabltuy
4
If he really beleives that Salah is the problem of Liverpool, then he certainly need to find another sport. Slot will keep pushing LFC down with Kerkez, Gravenberch, and experiments of strikers and right backs.... not to mention the stupid out of positions when they have the ball. A clip that shows how lost Gravenberch , Jones or even Kerkez who was late to process that Salah was actually making a key pass.
AbdulZaks008
1
Nobody will last forever, Period
Edooo87
1
Salah days coming to end
bucabcklo
3
Salah is not the problem when player is not inform or not playing well then as a coach you remove him or put him on the bench Salah is not different Slot used your brain 🧠 don't disgrace us anymore