Liverpool boss Arne Slot has opened up on why Mohamed Salah was named among the substitutes again for the Reds’ Premier League clash with Sunderland.
The Reds endured a frustrating night as Sunderland secured a 1-1 draw at Anfield. However, the biggest talking point was not the result but Slots decision to bench Salah
Salah failed to make it off the bench in a welcome win over West Ham – ending a run of featuring in every match under Slot. He was involved against Sunderland, but was only introduced at half-time.
Explaining the decision not to include Salah in his starting XI against Sunderland, Slot told Sky Sports: “I play the same team, it’s a balance between continuity and freshness. It’s obvious and clear we need the full squad tonight because a few who start aren’t able to play a full 90 again. More than ever, we need more than 11 players tonight. All the players have a chance to come in, Mo is definitely one of them. It’s a good thing we have players like Mo available on the bench.
“We haven’t had a long conversation. We spoke a lot after the Frankfurt game, and now not as much. He reacts like you want, a top professional. He trains really good and is positive towards his team-mates. He’s an example when he plays, and now he’s an example of how to act when you don’t play.”
Salah after coming on failed to inspire Liverpool as they dropped more precious points. The Egyptian forward is undoubtedly one of the best players in Liverpool history with a current record of 250 goals in 420 appearances.
It’s left to be seen if he’ll be recalled to the starting eleven when Liverpool travel to Leeds, with Slot admitting that he has “an idea who will start” at Elland Road but “won’t say”.
