Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has once against been left out of Arne Slot's starting XI for their clash against Sunderland
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Image: Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah has been named on the bench for clash against after being an unused substitute for the weekend's win over United. The forward has faced criticism in recent weeks, with the Reds struggling to find some form.
has chopped and changed his frontline in recent weeks to find the right balance, naming , , , and for the clash with the Black Cats - the same one he picked in the win over the Hammers. looked solid in defence and found just enough in attack last time out, with the manager hopeful of recreating a similar result this time around.
It's a huge call from the head coach, not just in leaving out of action, but also in the players that he has decided to stick with. Both Wirtz and Isak have faced fitness issues in recent weeks, with the latter particularly suffering through a few separate injury concerns since moving to Anfield.
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Slot has faced challenges in finding the right balance, with Liverpool scoring 20 but conceding the same amount in the Premier League so far this season. The decision to over the weekend raised some eyebrows, with the star often among the first names on the team sheet since joining the club.
Criticisms over his defensive ability have been levied against the star, while he hasn't been able to have the same sort of impact that he is used to making. The 33-year-old has scored five goals and assisted three times so far in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.
While he was dropped over the weekend, Slot revealed how tough it was for all involved to see Salah on the bench, as he said: "It is not a nice thing for him, not for a Liverpool fan and not for me. A player that has been so important for us, you want to see him on the pitch.
Mohamed Salah has struggled to make a mark this season (
Image:
Getty Images)
"I prefer to see Mo on the pitch, scoring his goals and doing something special rather than the camera being on him when he isn’t in the game. He has been so important for us, for so many years, and he will be important for us in the coming days – because it is days as he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations.”
It's a second full look that fans and spectators will get of a post-Salah Liverpool, as he gears up to join the Egypt squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Salah could be missing for over a month, as he eyes glory with his nation during the continental tournament.
While focus could drift towards that, Slot revealed that Salah had been supportive of his teammates in training, and reacted to the situation. He said: "The reaction of every player in this group, no matter whether he’s playing or not playing, is to bring the best out of yourself every single day you are in this building and when we are playing. That’s exactly the attitude he showed on Sunday and yesterday as well.”
There is some hope, however, that the move could help get the best out of Florian Wirtz, allowing the team to run through him. The German international has struggled since making the move to Merseyside, but he showed glimpses of his quality in the victory over West Ham.
Speaking to the , the playmaker revealed his delight in making an impression over the weekend. He said: "I was really happy to start, because I was out for two games. I tried to give my best and to help to turn it around that we start to win games again. I'm happy that I could give my best to this.
"I was playing more as a number ten, I had the freedom to go to free spaces and create an overload. I tried to just make the possession better, tried to create chances. I had also one or two chances where I could score but I'm a bit unlucky at the moment, so I'll keep going."
Liverpool will be hopeful that by sticking with a similar forward line, they may finally have a winning formula. Sunderland present a challenge, however, having shown their steel since earning promotion back to the Premier League.