Two prominent Liverpool stars each expressed disappointment with team selection decisions as Arne Slot's selection process becomes scrutinised more intensely
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium
Arne Slot has got on the bad sides of a couple of Liverpool stars due to his decision-making
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Liverpool's 1-1 stalemate at home to Sunderland provided fresh ammunition for critics questioning whether all is right with the current Premier League champions. It's not entirely new, however, after both Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa voiced their "unhappiness" regarding some of Arne Slot's tactical choices this term.
The Reds dropped another two crucial points against the Black Cats on Wednesday evening, forced to claw back from a deficit after Chemsdine Talbi's breakthrough at Anfield. Nordi Mukiele's unfortunate own goal restored parity in the 81st minute, though Slot's men couldn't muster a winner, leaving them languishing in eighth position.
Salah found himself on the bench for the second straight match after he was an unused substitute during Sunday's 2-0 triumph over West Ham. And Slot revealed how his talisman aired his frustrations upon discovering his exclusion from the starting line-up against the Hammers.
"Fair assumption and normal reaction for someone who can play for us," explained Slot ahead of Wednesday's stalemate with Sunderland. "Of course, a player isn't happy he isn't playing, he wasn't the only one I can tell you."
The Dutchman praised Salah's mature handling of his demotion from the starting XI. Slot emphasised his star performer remained "very supportive for his team-mates and handled himself really well" despite his obvious disappointment.
Chiesa represents another casualty of Slot's ruthless selection policy, having been omitted from Liverpool's Champions League roster in September in order to not leave the squad too light in defence. The Italian winger expressed his displeasure, although he acknowledged the reasoning behind his manager's "argument."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Mohamed Salah was not happy after being dropped for the win over West Ham(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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"Of course, that is one of the most difficult things you have to do as a manager," said Slot at the time. "For a player not to play, it is not always easy to tell them but not to be in the squad is always more difficult. I just explained to him why we made this choice. Of course, he wasn't happy with that.
"I think he understood my arguments - that is not to say he agreed with them. He didn't tell me, by the way, that he didn't agree with them! But he gave me the answer you want to hear from a player, that he will be there to help the team in the cups and in the league."
Liverpool's Federico Chiesa gestures during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Ipswich Town FC at Anfield
Federico Chiesa expressed his frustration after being left out of Liverpool's Champions League squad
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Chiesa, 28, has featured 15 times across all competitions this campaign but has managed just two starts, both coming in the EFL Cup. He has contributed two goals and three assists but remains excluded from Liverpool's European squad for now.
The Italian could capitalise on Salah's absence as he seeks to secure more regular first-team football. His prospects may brighten further when Salah departs to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations this month, although Slot appears to need further persuasion.
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