Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted Mohamed Salah was left 'unhappy' with his decision as the Reds prepare to navigate the coming weeks without him
Theo Squires and Neil Docking
11:30, 02 Dec 2025Updated 11:31, 02 Dec 2025
Arne Slot speaks at his Liverpool press conference this morning
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Arne Slot admitted Mohamed Salah was 'unhappy' with his decision
Arne Slot has admitted that Mohamed Salah was unhappy after being dropped from his Liverpool starting eleven for the triumph over West Ham United, whilst also revealing when the Egyptian star will jet off for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 33-year-old remained on the bench as strikes from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo secured a 2-0 victory at the London Stadium on Sunday. The West Ham game marked the first time Slot had ever omitted the striker from his starting lineup in the Premier League.
Salah's position in the team has come under mounting pressure after a string of underwhelming displays during a dismal run that saw the Reds suffer nine defeats in 12 outings before their weekend journey to the capital.
Mohamed Salah on the bench during West Ham vs Liverpool
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Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute for Liverpool at West Ham(Image: Getty Images)
Whether the forward will be reinstated to Slot's starting eleven for Wednesday evening's encounter with Sunderland, or if the Dutch boss will persist with the attacking formation that helped Liverpool rediscover their winning formula, remains unclear.
Yet the Reds manager heaped praise on Salah whilst revealing his response to being omitted from the weekend squad.
"It's a fair assumption (that he wasn't happy to be left out)," Slot commented during his pre-match press briefing. "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."
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah warming up prior to kick-off before the Premier League match at the London Stadium.
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah will join up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations later this month(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire.)
Slot also revealed that Salah is set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, December 15, following Liverpool's match against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, December 13.
"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."
Salah was included in Egypt's squad for the tournament, which kicks off in Morocco on 21 December.
With the tournament scheduled to end on 18 January, he could miss up to eight matches if the Pharaohs were to become African champions - including away games against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
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However, the ECHO reported last month that Egypt were also hoping to have Salah available for a friendly against Nigeria on 14 December.