PREVIEW: Salah might be benched for Liverpool’s Leeds trip | OneFootball

Arne Slot didn’t rule out further substitute appearances from Mohamed Salah as misfiring Liverpool prepare for their Premier League visit to Leeds United on Saturday.

The ‘Egyptian King’ hasn’t started for two consecutive matches, including his side’s much anticipated 2-0 victory at West Ham to lift the pressure on the Reds’ boss.

Although Slot made no guarantee Salah will regain his place in the starting lineup, he spoke highly of his professionalism in reaction to being left out.

He said: “Every player is my mind to start matches because we have so many good players, and Mo has been such an exceptional player for us.

“He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting, it was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us – and I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club.

“But the way he behaved was as you’d expect from such a professional. He supported his teammates and handled himself really well.”

Liverpool’s victory at the London Stadium was their second in five league games, but their defensive frailties will still be fresh in Slot’s memory.

They have conceded seven goals in that run, with several mistakes from members of their backline which even the likes of Virgil van Dijk have not been immune from.

Slot is preparing for life without Salah while he competes in AFCON, while Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley have been in training this week and are both available – after struggling for depth at right-back for most of the season so far.

Daniel Farke also lifted much of the pressure off of his shoulders on Wednesday, surprising 10-man Chelsea with a 3-1 win at Elland Road to lift Leeds out of the topflight’s bottom three.

Leeds hadn’t picked up any points since beating West Ham 2-1 at home in October, and could be in with a chance of getting something out of a mistake-riddled Liverpool side.

But the German revealed he fears a resurgence from Salah, after Slot raised eyebrows by benching the winger for the first time since last April.

Farke said: “He is a word class player with word class numbers – dangerous the more he doesn’t score.

“Hopefully it lasts one more game, he will deliver unbelievable things this season.”

The Leeds boss was also full of praise for fan-favourite centre back Joe Rodon, who became the first player to reach a century of consecutive starts since Norman Hunter in the 1960s.

He said: “My warrior and key player, always there with an unbelievable attitude.

“To achieve 100 games in a row at this level is amazing, can only do this if you are super professional. He should be very proud of himself, I am.”

In-form Lukas Nmecha – who has three goals in as many games – will be assessed for a hamgstring issue, as will Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s calf.

Ao Tanaka could be rested due to fatigue.

The game will kick off at Elland Road at 17:30 GMT, and will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.

Predicted line-ups

LEE: Perri; Struijk, Bijol, Rodon; Gudmundsson, Stach, Ampadu, Gruev, Bogle; Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin