Salah’s reaction to being dropped
Liverpool’s 2-0 win at the London Stadium offered a much-needed moment of calm after a turbulent run of form, but the talking point was the absence of Mohamed Salah from the starting eleven. For the first time in the Premier League since April 2024, the Egyptian forward was named on the bench and did not feature.
Manager Arne Slot acknowledged that the decision was not well received by the forward, yet described his response as exemplary. Slot praised Salah as a “top professional”, outlining how the forward’s dedication and discipline remain unaffected by form or selection.
The Liverpool manager admitted it was entirely natural for Salah to feel frustrated. Slot said it was a “fair assumption” that the 32-year-old was unhappy with being an unused substitute, but added that elite players should feel that way. He noted that Salah was not alone in his disappointment, with other squad members also eager to start.
Slot highlighted Salah’s mindset, saying the forward “handled himself really well” and remains meticulous in how he trains and prepares. The manager emphasised that even during quieter spells, Salah's professionalism does not waver and that his long-term value to the club is beyond question.
Salah, who claimed the Premier League Golden Boot last season with 29 goals, has managed only four in the league this campaign. Yet Slot reassured supporters that these quieter periods are part of a footballer’s natural rhythm, insisting Liverpool will see more goals from him again.
A difficult stretch and a looming absence
Liverpool’s form has been a key concern in recent weeks. Sunday’s victory ended a run of nine defeats in 12 matches across all competitions, a spell that placed the club under considerable scrutiny. Slot’s side now sit eighth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Arsenal, highlighting the scale of the recovery required.
Compounding that challenge is the confirmation that Salah will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December. This means his final game before departing is expected to be the league match against Brighton on 13 December.
If Egypt progress to the final on 18 January 2026, Salah will not return to Merseyside until 19 January at the earliest. That scenario would rule him out of seven Liverpool fixtures, including a crucial visit to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on 8 January.
Slot said the team must now prepare to adapt, given that he will be unavailable for over a month. “We have to find a way to play without him because he won’t be here,” he explained, making clear that Liverpool cannot allow themselves to be overly dependent on the forward’s presence.
Managing Salah before his departure
A key question that lingers is how Slot will use Salah between now and 15 December. The manager declined to reveal whether he plans to start the forward regularly in the coming weeks, but he did confirm that Salah’s disappointment at the weekend was genuine.
Given the importance of this stretch of fixtures, Slot’s decision-making regarding Salah’s minutes will be watched closely. Liverpool must balance the need to regain momentum with the necessity of ensuring their key players are protected from overload.
With the Afcon departure imminent, Slot’s dilemma is whether to lean on Salah heavily in the next fortnight or begin experimenting with the options that will take his place. Either way, Liverpool must avoid another slide if they are to keep pace with the teams above them.
The Sunderland challenge and the need to rebuild Anfield confidence
Liverpool’s immediate task is to prepare for Wednesday’s match at Anfield against Sunderland, who arrive sitting above Liverpool in the table. The Black Cats have not won at Anfield in the league since 1983, yet form suggests this is a real opportunity for them.
Under Regis Le Bris, Sunderland have developed a structured, confident style, and Slot is aware of the test they will present. Liverpool have lost their last two home matches, a worrying trend given that Anfield has traditionally been their fortress.
A victory against Sunderland is vital not only for league position but also for restoring belief. Liverpool’s recent slump has eroded confidence both in the stands and on the pitch, and Slot knows the team must show signs of resilience.
The match is followed by an away trip to Leeds United, currently in the relegation zone but capable of producing unpredictable performances. These two fixtures offer a chance to stabilise the season before Salah’s departure adds further strain.
The broader picture as Liverpool seek direction
Slot finds himself managing a team in transition. The heavy spending in the summer window, the tactical adjustments, and the dip in results have placed the manager under heightened scrutiny. While Liverpool remain far from crisis point, they need a strong response to regain momentum before the new year.
Salah’s short-term frustration and long-term importance intertwine with Slot’s broader challenge: maintaining discipline, focus and unity within the squad during a testing period. Salah’s exemplary professionalism, as highlighted by Slot, is a positive foundation for the team as they navigate the challenges ahead.
The next few weeks are pivotal. Liverpool need results, performances and stability. They must re-establish themselves at home, manage key absences and ensure that the gap to the top does not widen further. How Slot balances these demands will shape the narrative of the remainder of Liverpool’s season.
As the manager himself suggested, the club has always benefited from Salah’s goals, and Liverpool will hope that when he returns from international duty, he does so ready to drive another resurgence. For now, Slot's focus is firmly on tightening the structure, rediscovering rhythm and ensuring that Sunday’s win at West Ham is the start of something more sustained.