Premier League’s golden boot winner last season, Mohammad Salah was dropped from the starting 11 when Liverpool faced West Ham in the league.
After nine losses out of 12 matches in all competition, Arne Slot put Salah on the bench for Sunday’s 2-0 victory against West Ham.
It was Salah’s first time being dropped from the starting 11 in the Premier League since the match under Jurgen Klopp in April 2024.
The Egyptian, who won the Premier League’s Golden Boot with 29 goals last season, is having a hard time this season after only scoring four goals in 12 games for Liverpool.
Arne said that Salah could be unhappy after being an unused substitute in a Premier League away game at London Stadium.
“That’s a normal reaction from a player that’s good enough to play for us, and I say that mildly because he has been so outstanding for this club for so many years and will be for the future,” Slot said.
“He wasn’t the only one who wasn’t happy that he wasn’t starting and that is normal.”
Slot also said that Moh Salah handled himself pretty well despite being put in the bench.
“He is so disciplined – he knows what to do to stay fit,” Slot said.
“No matter if he plays well or if he doesn’t play well, if he plays or doesn’t play, he will always be that top professional and that’s what he was in the last two days.
“With all players around their world, there are also phases in your time at the club that they are human. He’s scored so many goals for us and I am sure he will in the future.”
Slot also confirmed that Salah will be reporting to his country for AFCON from 15 December 2025. The final of the tournament will be held on 18 January 2026.
Also read: Manchester United’s flop Loanee Keeper Is Left Out for 2025 AFCON – Price In Uk
“We have to find a way to play without him because he won’t be here,” Slot said.
The reigning Premier League champion are in the eighth position in the table with nine points gap from Arsenal, the current leader.
They will host Sunderland in a mid week game before a trip on Saturday to Leeds, who are fighting to get out of the relegation zone. You can catch more news and information related to the Premier League on Price In UK
Salah Would Miss Several Premier League Games
Salah will join his country for the African Cup Of Nation (AFCON) on 15 December, which means, the game against Brighton on 13 December will be his expected last game.
If Egypt successfully go all the way to the final, Salah will be unable to be back to Merseyside until 19 January 2026.
If that’s the case, Salah would miss seven games for Liverpool including the clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 8 January.
Slot chose not to say anything about his future plans to keep Salah on the bench or play him back as the starter, but the Dutch manager said that Moh Salah was disappointed after being unused in the game against West Ham.
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Leeds vs Liverpool MW 15
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Current Matchweek 14
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal ARS | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 7 | 20 | 33 |
| 2 | Manchester City MCI | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 28 |
| 3 | Aston Villa AVL | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
| 4 | Chelsea CHE | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 24 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace CRY | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 23 |
| 6 | Sunderland SUN | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 23 |
| 7 | Brighton and Hove Albion BHA | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 22 |
| 8 | Liverpool LIV | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 22 |
| 9 | Manchester United MUN | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 21 |
| 10 | Everton EVE | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 17 | -2 | 21 |
| 11 | Tottenham Hotspur TOT | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 19 |
| 12 | Newcastle United NEW | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 19 |
| 13 | Brentford BRE | 14 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 21 | 22 | -1 | 19 |
| 14 | Bournemouth BOU | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 19 |
| 15 | Fulham FUL | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 17 |
| 16 | Nottingham Forest NFO | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 15 |
| 17 | Leeds United LEE | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 16 | 26 | -10 | 14 |
| 18 | West Ham United WHU | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 27 | -12 | 11 |
| 19 | Burnley BUR | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 15 | 28 | -13 | 10 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers WOL | 14 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 29 | -22 | 2 |
