Liverpool boss Arne Slot has suggested Mohamed Salah could remain out of the starting XI after also swiftly performing a U-turn on his plans for Leeds United
Arne Slot backtracked on a Liverpool admission for their next fixture against Leeds United after hinting that Mohamed Salah could be benched for the third consecutive game. The Egypt international has been named as a substitute for Liverpool’s last two games.
He did not even make it onto the pitch for last weekend’s 2-0 win over West Ham United, but he was introduced at half-time of their clash against Sunderland on Wednesday. Slot’s side looked to be heading for another shock defeat at Anfield after a goal from Chemsdine Talbi.
However, the hosts fought back and equalised with what looked to be Florian Wirtz’s first goal for the club. Replays showed that there was a touch from Nordi Mukiele which made a big impact and thus the leveller went down as an own goal by the Sunderland man.
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Speaking after the game, Slot was asked about playing Salah before he goes to AFCON before he performed a U-turn on his plans for this weekend’s fixture against Leeds.
He told Sky Sports: “That’s always the situation, it has nothing to do with Mo or with anyone. That’s always what you try as a manager and we’re now 10, 15 minutes after the game so I haven’t given a thought to how we’re going to play at the weekend against Leeds, who I think had a good result today as well.
“Another challenge for us, so I have no clue yet who is going to start. No clue is a bit too much.”
Slot’s latter comment regarding Leeds was certainly the case as they beat Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road. Off the back of such a big win, it is very likely the Whites’ home stadium will be bouncing for the visit of the champions.
The 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Sunderland means Liverpool have triumphed in just four of their last 14 games in all competitions.
After starting the season with a five-game winning streak, Liverpool now find themselves eighth in the Premier League table and 11 points off leaders Arsenal.
Pressure on Slot has unsurprisingly ramped up in recent weeks but that has eased following the win at London Stadium. Not beating Leeds this weekend could see that return but Slot appears relaxed about his future with the stance from the club’s hierarchy clear.
After the 3-0 defeat to PSV, he said: “I am feeling safe, I am OK. I have got a lot of support from above. It would be nice to turn it around and get a victory, of course, but if you are not doing well, then it is normal that questions are asked.
“I am OK with my position. It is not the first time I’ve been in a difficult position, but it is about time that we turned it around.
“I’m not worried. What I mean by that is my focus is on other things than on my own position. I need to do better, and that’s what I’m trying to do every single day.”
