Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute as Liverpool won at West Ham on Sunday afternoon and Reds manager Arne Slot has been asked about the Egyptian international
Mohamed Salah on the bench during West Ham vs Liverpool
Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute for Liverpool at West Ham
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted it is a "fair assumption" to feel Mohamed Salah was unhappy at being left out of the Reds' starting XI at West Ham. The Egypt star dropped to the bench for the match at the London Stadium, with Florian Wirtz starting in a front three with Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak.
Salah has been a regular this season, but he and a number of his Anfield team-mates have come in for criticism as Slot's side have hit a rocky patch in their title defence. They won in East London on Sunday, though, with Isak and Gakpo grabbing the goals in the second half.
"Fair assumption and normal reaction for someone who can play for us," Slot told reporters at a press conference ahead of Liverpool's midweek match against Sunderland. "Of course, a player isn't happy he isn't playing, he wasn't the only one I can tell you.
"The way he behaved was as you would expect from the professional he is, he was very supportive for his team-mates and handled himself really well. You can't play that well every three days if you go with your emotions, but Mo is so disciplined. He will always be that top professional as he was the last few days."
Salah had played every minute in the league before Sunday, scoring four goals in 12 appearances. However, he was left on the bench by Slot as Hugo Ekitike, Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson came on as substitutes.
Salah finished last season as Liverpool's top scorer as they won the Premier League in Slot's first season in charge, and signed a contract extension late in the campaign. Despite seeing the star go four games without a goal in all competitions, Slot has backed him to turn things around.
"Fortunately the time I have been here he has been a superhuman being, but all players around the world there are times at a club where you are human," he added. "He's scored so many goals for us and I'm sure he will in the future."
Arne Slot during West Ham vs Liverpool
Arne Slot has spoken about Salah
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Liverpool are preparing for a spell without Salah in the coming weeks, with their leading man set to link up with Egypt for their Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The Pharaohs made an early exit in the previous edition, losing to DR Congo in the round of 16, and Slot was asked about communications over the upcoming tournament, where Egypt play their first group game on December 22.
"The way we have worked is that there's a communication between all three - the player, the club and country," he said. "That's nothing new. But FIFA have said December 15 is last day player has to be released."
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