Mohamed Salah in unwanted Liverpool first as Arne Slot makes ruthless decision

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made the bold call to bench Mohamed Salah for Wednesday’s clash against Sunderland.

It marks the first time Salah has been benched for two consecutive Premier League matches.

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Slot decided to drop Salah for the Reds’ clash against West Ham United last Sunday and was replaced by Dominik Szoboszlai, who steps in again.

It proved to be a wise call as Slot’s side prevailed 2-0 as Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo got on the scoresheet.

The win over West Ham was Liverpool’s second in their last eight league fixtures.

However, Slot was reluctant to state his star winger’s benching against the Hammers heralded the start of a post-Salah era.

“It is not a nice thing for him, not for a Liverpool fan and not for me, Slot said.

“A player that has been so important for us, you want to see him on the pitch. I prefer to see Mo on the pitch, scoring goals, and doing something special rather than the camera being on him when he isn’t in the game.

“He has been so important for us, for so many years, and he will be important for us in the coming days – because it is days as he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations.”

Following Wednesday’s fixture against the Black Cats, Slot will only have Salah available for three more matches before the superstar winger will depart for the AFCON with Egypt.

More to follow…