Mohamed Salah was left on the bench for Liverpool’s Premier League game against West Ham United, with Arne Slott warned not to put the Egyptian forward back into the starting XI.
Manager Steve Nicholl has issued a stern warning to Arne Slott, warning it could be a “huge mistake” to bring Mohamed Salah back into the starting lineup against Sunderland. The Egyptian ace was left on the bench during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday.
The 33-year-old was an integral part of Slot’s Premier League side last season, helping Liverpool win the title.
As a result, the match in London marked the first time Salah has been named as a substitute in England’s top flight since his infamous sideline altercation with former manager Jurgen Klopp ahead of his appearance for West Ham in April 2024.
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Liverpool bounced back from back-to-back defeats against Man City, Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven with a much-needed victory at the London Stadium. Goals from Alexander Isak and Kodi Gakpo ensured the Reds’ return to winning ways, with Salah watching from the sidelines.
Despite losing nine of their last 13 games in all competitions, Liverpool moved up to eighth in the league with this victory, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Salah was Liverpool’s shining star last season, winning individual awards and winning both the Golden Boot and Playmaker awards. He had an impressive record in the English top flight with 29 goals and 18 assists.
However, Liverpool’s current struggles have prevented them from replicating that performance. The forward has made 12 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists, but has come under increasing criticism for his below-average performances.
Against West Ham, Dominik Szoboszlai started on the right wing, with Florian Wirtz returning from injury to take up the number 10 position.
Impressed by the Reds’ stepped-up performance in the capital, Liverpool legend Nicol advised Slott to keep Salah on the bench for Sunderland’s visit to Anfield on Wednesday night.
“He has to (keep him on the bench). He has to,” he said on ESPN. “Absolutely (they are better without him).
“You have to start from the back, you have to get your base right and solid, you have to prevent conceding goals. You can’t expect to score three or four goals every week to win games.
“If he comes back (to the side) and breaks that shape… at least they were solid defensively with Szoboszlai.
“Okay, he’s not standing wide like Mo, he’s just standing there waiting for the ball. He’s getting involved, going back inside and helping the full-backs.”
“We’re in much better shape defensively. If we suddenly go back to where we were and teams start streaming again, they’re not going to get better.”
“We have to take care of the fundamentals, the solid structure they had. Yes, against West Ham, it was a solid structure.”
“There was no real drama, no running around, no holes, you just have to go from there.
“If he (Slot) changes that and brings Mo Salah back against Sunderland, that would be a big mistake for me.”
Ahead of the match against Sunderland, Slott praised Salah’s reaction to being left out of the squad and admitted the Egyptian was not happy with the decision.
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