Arne Slot praises Mohamed Salah’s professionalism after being benched against West Ham | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has lauded Mohamed Salah’s (33) professionalism after the forward responded “exceptionally well” to being dropped for Sunday’s 2-0 win at West Ham, the first time he has been left out of a Premier League starting XI in more than 18 months.

Salah, who claimed last season’s Golden Boot with 29 league goals, has struggled to replicate that form this term, scoring only four times in the top flight during a period in which Liverpool have suffered nine defeats in 12 matches. Slot opted to leave the Egyptian on the bench at London Stadium, where he remained an unused substitute.

Slot acknowledged it was a “fair assumption” that Salah was unhappy with the decision but said the 33-year-old’s conduct was exemplary.

“It’s normal for a player of his calibre to be disappointed,” Slot said, speaking to the media. “He has been outstanding for this club for so many years. But he handled himself really well. He is so disciplined and knows exactly what to do to stay at the highest level.”

Liverpool will soon have to adjust without their talisman. Salah is set to depart on 15 December for the Africa Cup of Nations, potentially missing up to seven matches should Egypt reach the final on 18 January.

“We have to find a way to play without him,” Slot added.

Liverpool, eighth in the Premier League and nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal, host sixth-placed Sunderland on Wednesday before travelling to relegation-threatened Leeds on Saturday, as Slot attempts to stabilise a season that has drifted off course.

GFN | Finn Entwistle