Liverpool manager Arne Slot has assured that Mohamed Salah remains “always in my mind” despite being left out of the starting line-up in the team’s last two Premier League matches.
Salah, 33, has struggled to replicate his previous prolific form this season, netting just four goals so far, and has featured for only 45 minutes across the last two fixtures. The Egyptian forward, who signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool in April, has reportedly attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League.
“I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us,” Slot said on Friday. “He is always in my mind to either start or to come off the bench.”
Last season, Salah scored 29 goals as Liverpool claimed the Premier League title under Slot’s management. However, he was an unused substitute during the 2-1 victory at West Ham and again came off the bench in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Anfield. It remains uncertain if Salah will feature in Liverpool’s upcoming clash with Leeds United on Saturday (17:30 GMT).
Addressing the ongoing discussion around Salah’s absence, Slot added: “The chatter, yes because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me and six or seven years. It’s completely normal people talk about it when he isn’t playing.”
Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has scored 250 goals in 420 appearances across all competitions, establishing himself as one of the club’s most influential players. He had been strongly linked with a move to Al-Ittihad before committing to his current deal, which runs until 2027.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk weighed in on the situation, highlighting that Salah’s recent benchings demonstrate that no player has “unlimited credit” at the club. “He is still a fantastic player and we still have to remember there is a reason why he has been so successful at the club and we have to respect that,” Van Dijk said after the Sunderland draw.
“I need him around as one of the leaders. I’m not worried. He’s disappointed but that’s absolutely normal, as if you’re not disappointed when you’re not playing two games in a row, then there is an issue as well. That’s always been the case that no one is undroppable. Everyone has to perform.”
Liverpool currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, having won just two of their opening nine league games this season.
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