Mohamed Salah was dropped for Liverpool's 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday and former defender Mikael Silvestre believes Arne Slot's priorities do not include the talismanic forward
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium(Image: Getty Images)
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Ex-Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre reckons that Mohamed Salah's past successes won't sway team selection for the upcoming match against Sunderland on Wednesday night. The 33-year-old was left out of Liverpool's 2-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday.
"Of course, a player isn't happy if he is not playing," Slot admitted post-match. "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 Salah due to join his national squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this month, Silvestre suggests that Slot will have other priorities in mind, with results vital for Liverpool's Premier League title defence.
"I'm not sure Arne Slot is planning too far ahead with Mohamed Salah at the moment," he shared with Poker Scout.
"His main focus will be on stringing together consecutive wins after a poor 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.
Arne Slot
Arne Slot dropped Mo Salah against West Ham(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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"But it could have been anyone because most of the team have been really poor recently."
Silvestre cautioned that Liverpool's team selection against Sunderland will be determined by current form rather than Salah's historical contributions.
"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.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah warmed up during Liverpool's match against West Ham but did not come on
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"I'm sure he will still be able to make a big contribution to Liverpool this season."
Salah is anticipated to depart Liverpool on December 15 following their fixture with Brighton on December 13, which means he'll be absent for forthcoming matches against Tottenham, Wolves and Leeds United.
"We have to find a way to play without him because he won't be here," Slot added.
Nevertheless, should Egypt reach the tournament final, Salah could miss additional Liverpool fixtures in the New Year, including league encounters with Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley, along with the FA Cup third round.
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