‘Sulk-up’ – Arne Slot urged to make bold Mohamed Salah decision

Mohamed Salah should be left out of Liverpool’s starting line-up on a temporary basis.

This is the view of former Premier League manager Alan Pardew, who believes a brief spell on the sidelines would be beneficial to the team and the fatigued player.

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Egypt star Salah has endured a difficult season personally, scoring just four times in 16 Premier League appearances.

His last Premier League goal came on November 1 with Salah only netting six in all competitions this term.

It’s been an strenuous season for the three-time PFA Player of the Year winner having also competed at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament.

Before joining his international teammates Salah found himself out of the Liverpool team amid his poor form.

He was immediately placed back into Liverpool‘s starting XI upon his return from Morocco but has struggled to have a positive impact on Reds games, although he did score during their Champions League win over Qarabag on Wednesday night.

And Pardew believes Salah would benefit from another period on the sidelines despite kicking up a huge fuss with his bombshell claims of the club wanting him to leave back in December.

Slot told to make bold Salah call

Pardew said of Salah on The Final Word: “We’re only talking about how eight months ago he was absolutely brilliant.

“I just think the Africa Cup of Nations takes a lot out of African players. I was surprised that Slot put Salah straight back into the team, actually.

“He probably needs a rest, that’s what I think he needs. He needs three or four weeks out.

“Hopefully he doesn’t have a sulk-up like he did last time. Hopefully he kind of accepts it and comes back fresh for that running particularly in the Champions League.

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“I still think there’s lots more to come from him. I still think he’s below his level and we’re talking about an exceptional level here.”

Pardew continued: “I still think that in Salah there’s more to come and I think a rest period… I really do think that the manager has to be bold and leave him out again.

“In the short term you might have a problem like he did when Salah went to the press… but in the long term you’ll win.”

Liverpool look to reignite Champions League hopes

Salah may be struggling but Slot’s men are showing signs that they may be turning a corner in what’s been a tumultuous season.

After scoring six in a Champions League thumping of Qarabag, Liverpool followed it up with an impressive 4-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday night.

They fell behind through Anthony Gordon’s strike but two quickfire goals by Hugo Ekitike saw Liverpool go in at half time ahead.

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It became a comfortable victory with Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate adding goals in the second half.

At the end of play, Liverpool are sixth in the Premier League table, a point behind fifth-placed Chelsea and two behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

It’s likely that finishing fifth in the Premier League will be enough to secure automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League, however.