Arne Slot says he has not decided yet whether Mohamed Salah will come back into the Liverpool team for the visit to Leeds United on Saturday after the Egyptian came off the bench against Sunderland.
Salah began well after coming on at Anfield but quickly tailed off. Liverpool went behind before drawing level through a Nordi Mukiele own-goal that was forced by good work from Florian Wirtz.
But Liverpool has arguably looked more stable without Salah in the side. There is a genuine question about whether or not Slot would be better sticking with his starters from West Ham and Sunderland, or twisting and bringing his number 11 back in.
"It has nothing to do with Mo or anyone," Slot said live on Sky Sports. "I have not given a thought to how we will play at the weekend against Leeds. I have an idea who will start but I won't say."
Liverpool had lost its last two home games, against Nottingham Forest and PSV. Stopping that run was a positive, at least, as was finally earning a point from a losing position.
It could easily have been a defeat for Liverpool had Federico Chiesa not blocked a shot on the line late on.
Liverpool's German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz reacts during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 3, 2025.
Florian Wirtz's equalizer for Liverpool against Sunderland has gone down as an own goal. (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
"He kept running and that's why he cleared the ball," Slot said.
"We scored less than we could have scored and the opponent was quite good in the moments they had.
"There is a reason why we couldn't beat them and why other teams have struggled to beat them.
"A game where we didn't concede a lot or create a lot and were really unlucky with the goal we conceded. It was a deflection and could have gone anywhere but in the period we are in, it went in."
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The Dutchman's side has the trip to Elland Road coming up next, before a visit from Brighton and then an away game at Spurs.
As it stands, though, it is only two points off Chelsea in fourth. The standings are very congested heading into the festive period.
On Wirtz's goal, he added: "That was lucky as well but it was a chance that he might have been.
"Not a lot of chances for both teams. We were very unlucky in the second half. In one moment, we conceded, but we came back strong."