Mohamed Salah started on the bench for the second Liverpool game in a row.
Arne Slot is clearly prepared to go bold to try and turn things around at Anfield, but even then it does not appear to be working.
He dropped Salah to the bench against Sunderland, which is a real statement of intent given how key he has been for Liverpool over the years, although this season he has not been himself.
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How has Mohamed Salah reacted to being out of the team?
“We haven’t had a long conversation. We spoke a lot after the Frankfurt game, and now not as much. He reacts like you want, a top professional. He trains really good and is positive towards his team-mates. He’s an example when he plays, and now he’s an example of how to act when you don’t play.”
Arne Slot on dropping Mohamed Salah for consecutive matches
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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The Egyptian will not be happy with this one bit, though, with this leaving many to wonder what his future entails.
Jamie Redknapp has made a bold prediction on his situation, with the former Reds captain suggesting that his relationship with Slot could be at boiling point.
Jamie Redknapp doesn’t think Mohamed Salah will see out his contract
Towards the end of last season, Liverpool fans were ecstatic about Salah signing a new deal, especially as it was a long time coming.
But fast forward to now, and it looks like it may have been a bit of a mistake, with his four league goals showing how much he has dropped off.
Mohamed Salah on the bench during Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
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The fact he is no longer the star man will also not be to his liking, with Redknapp believing that his relationship with Slot is beyond the point of no return.
“He’s a Premier League great, a Liverpool great and that’s why I don’t think this is going to end well,” he said on Sky Sports.
“He’s not going to want to be on the bench, he hasn’t signed this contract to see his career out. He wants to play week in, week out.
“I’ll be amazed if he sees out the last two years of his contract, or year and a half. I don’t think this helps the situation one bit. Nothing will surprise me in football – whether it’s in January or maybe in the summer.
“If the right club was to come around… a lot will be decided by this man. He’s earned that right. And if he says: ‘Look, if I’m not going to be a starter for you, I’m not one of those players who is going to hang around.
How much would you want Liverpool to sell Mohamed Salah for?
Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus (£99.2m)
Harry Kane to Bayern Munich (£86.4m plus add-ons)
Neymar to Al-Hilal (£77.6m plus add-ons)
Casemiro to Manchester United (£60m plus add-ons)
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“The first thing we’re all going to say is he’ll go to Saudi – he’s obviously a legend in that part of the world – or he’ll want to go to the US, but this for me now is a real breaking point in the relationship.”
Liverpool must cash in on Mohamed Salah if they get the chance
It feels wrong suggesting that Liverpool should sell a player who is one of the best in their entire history, but that is the harsh reality of football.
He is not getting any younger and it is clear he is slowing up, so selling him for a fair amount of money after so many years of service only seems logical.
Saudi clubs are very keen to sign him, suggesting Liverpool could get a lot of money for him despite being 33, making it a bit of a no-brainer.
He will always be a legend, but with there being no guarantee that he will be a key member of the team going forward, it might be best for all parties if he moved on.
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