Arne Slot has paid tribute to the ‘outstanding’ Mohamed Salah, despite dropping the Egyptian forward for Liverpool’s weekend win at West Ham.
Anfield frontman Salah has suffered a downturn in form this season, which has coincided with an alarming slump for the defending champions.
The Reds had lost nine of their last 12 fixtures in all competitions before finally getting back to winning ways with a 2-0 win at The London Stadium on Sunday.
Salah, however, was left warming the bench as a first Premier League strike from Alexander Isak and a late Cody Gakpo effort sealed victory.
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s visit of Sunderland, Liverpool boss Slot confirmed Salah was disappointed to miss out but praised the 33-year-old’s attitude.
He told reporters: “As with all players around the world, there are also phases in your time at the club that you are human.
“But he’s scored so many goals for us and I’m sure he will in the future.
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Salah’s reaction ‘normal’
Asked how Salah responded to his demotion, Slot continued:
“A player isn’t happy when they’re not playing. He wasn’t the only one who wasn’t happy that he wasn’t starting, I can tell you.
“That’s a normal reaction from a player that’s good enough to play for us. And I say it mildly, because he’s been so outstanding for this club for so many years, and will be for us in the future.
“But Mo is so disciplined, knows what to do to stay fit, and no matter if he plays well, doesn’t play well, if he plays or if he doesn’t play, he will always be that top professional.”
Reflecting on Liverpool’s first win in the capital since January, Slot was particularly pleased with the displays of big-money signings Isak and Florian Wirtz.
He added: “It was encouraging to see Florian playing that well, it was not the first time he has played well for us. And also Alex as well.”
Will Salah return against Sunderland?
With Salah due to depart for the African Cup of Nations on December 15, he may well find himself back in the starting line-up against the Black Cats, with Isak dropping to the bench.
As well as Isak, Slot is also cautious over the fitness of Joe Gomez, who played only his third full 90 minutes since Boxing Day on Sunday, and German international Wirtz.
The Dutchman admitted: “I think they are not able to play three times 90, that’s for sure, and now I have to wait and see how they feel today and if they are able to play from the start again.
“But all three can be involved in all three games if they don’t get an injury, that is a fair assumption to make.”
Slot also confirmed that right-back Conor Bradley has returned to training and could be in contention for the trip to Leeds United on Saturday.
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