Arne Slot has confessed that Mohamed Salah was unhappy to be dropped from his Liverpool starting XI for the triumph over West Ham United, whilst also disclosing when the Egyptian will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah was an unused substitute as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo secured a much-needed victory at the London Stadium on Sunday.
The winger had been a constant presence in the Premier League as Liverpool claimed the title last season, with their journey to West Ham representing the first occasion Slot had ever omitted the forward from his starting line-up in England's top division. Nevertheless, Salah has seen his position in the team come under growing scrutiny following a series of underwhelming displays as the Reds suffered nine defeats in their 12 fixtures before the weekend visit to the capital.
It remains uncertain whether the forward will start in Wednesday's game against Sunderland or if Slot will maintain confidence in the attack that assisted Liverpool's return to winning form.
However, the Reds manager was effusive in his praise for Salah as he disclosed his response to being excluded from the team at the weekend.
"It's a fair assumption (that he wasn't happy to be left out)," explained Slot at his pre-match press conference.
"And it's a normal reaction from a player who is good enough to play for us.
"And I say that mildly because he has been so outstanding for this club for so many years and will be for us in the future. So yeah, of course a player isn't happy not playing.
"He wasn't the only one who wasn't happy that he wasn't starting, I can tell you. And that's normal. But the way he behaved was as you would expect from the professional he is.
"He was very supportive for his team-mates. Handled himself really well during the day and yesterday in the session as well. You cannot be a player that is available every three days and plays to that high standards if you go with your emotions.
"But for Mo, he is so disciplined and knows what to do to stay fit. 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. And that's what he was the last two days."
Meanwhile, Slot disclosed that Salah is presently due to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15, following Liverpool's home fixture against Brighton two days earlier.
"Yeah, yeah we have (been told a date to release him)," he said. "I think FIFA does this, I don't know exactly, but it's December 15.
"But as always in these situations, there is a player involved, there is the nation involved - Egypt in this situation - and the club. And there is always talks about what is best for all three of us.
"I think the way we've worked at this club is that there is always a communication between all three. The player, the club and the country, so that is nothing new.
"That is always the same. When they come back, when they go. FIFA did this and said the 15th is the last day they have to be released."