Mohamed Salah was named as an unused substitute in Sunday's win over West Ham at the London Stadium, and it remains to be seen whether he will play for Liverpool against Sunderland at Anfield
Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot
Arne Slot faces a Mohamed Salah selection ahead of the Sunderland match
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Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre believes Mohamed Salah's past achievements will not influence team selection ahead of facing Sunderland on Wednesday night. The 33-year-old was dropped for Liverpool 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.
"Of course, a player isn't happy if he is not playing," Slot acknowledged after the game. "He wasn't the only one who was not happy he was not starting, I can tell you. That's normal, but the way he behaved was as you would expect from the professional he is. He was very supportive of his team-mates, handled himself really well during the day and yesterday in the session as well."
With the Egyptian winger set to join his national team for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this month, Silvestre has suggested that Slot will be focussed on other priorities, with results crucial to Liverpool's Premier League title defence.
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"I'm not sure Arne Slot is planning too far ahead with Mohamed Salah at the moment," he told Poker Scout.
"His main focus will be on putting together consecutive wins after going on a bad run, and if that means leaving Salah out of the starting XI again then so be it.
"Salah being dropped was always going to make the headlines because he has been a guaranteed starter for so many years.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah did not feature against West Ham
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"But it could have been anyone because most of the team have been really poor recently.
Silvestre warned that Liverpool's line-up against Sunderland, will be chosen based on current form rather than Salah's past achievements.
"Slot will be picking his team based on the specific opponent and on current form; he is not looking at Salah's CV and what he has done in the past with his Liverpool career," the former defender explained.
"It is not time for Slot to start thinking about a future for Liverpool without Mo Salah, because he still has a point to prove.
"I'm sure he will still be able to make a big contribution to Liverpool this season."
Salah is expected to leave Liverpool on December 15 after their match with Brighton on December 13, meaning he will miss upcoming fixtures against Tottenham, Wolves and Leeds United.
"We have to find a way to play without him because he won't be here," Slot added.
However, if Egypt progress to the final of the tournament, Salah could be miss more Liverpool fixtures in the New Year, including league clashes with Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley, as well as the FA Cup third round.