Mo Salah experienced something highly unusual on Sunday — he spent the entire Premier League match watching from the sidelines as Liverpool beat West Ham 2-0. For a player who has been almost ever-present this season, his absence from the starting lineup at the London Stadium raised plenty of eyebrows.
Before the weekend, Salah had missed just five minutes of league action, so seeing him left out — and not used at all — created a wave of surprise. Even Wayne Rooney had recently suggested the Egyptian needed a spell out of the team, while Sky Sports’ Peter Smith described the decision as one that sent “shockwaves”.
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Slot Explains How Salah Took the Decision
Speaking during his Tuesday press conference ahead of the midweek clash with Sunderland, Arne Slot was asked directly whether Salah was unhappy about being dropped.
The Liverpool boss responded (via Liverpool Echo):
> “It’s normal for a player of his level not to enjoy sitting out. He wasn’t the only one, I can tell you. But the way he reacted was exactly what you expect from a top professional. He supported the team, handled it brilliantly and stayed disciplined.”
Slot emphasised that players can’t allow emotions to dictate their performances, and insisted that Salah’s behaviour was exemplary throughout the weekend.
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Salah Fired Up to Respond
Naturally, Salah won’t have enjoyed being left out — but if there’s one thing the Egyptian has built his career on, it’s his drive to fight back. Liverpool’s hectic schedule, with three games in quick succession, means rotation is unavoidable, and Slot made it clear that no one is guaranteed a starting spot.
Salah will know his recent form hasn’t hit the heights we’re used to, but this kind of setback could be exactly what reignites that familiar fire in him. As Mail Sport journalist Lewis Steele noted, being dropped could push the 33-year-old to show he’s still Liverpool’s main attacking threat.
Whether he starts against Sunderland or comes off the bench, expect Salah to respond — and possibly deliver the kind of decisive moment the Reds have seen countless times before. 🔥
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