Liverpool star Mohamed Salah a top pro despite being dropped, says Arne Slot
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (left) warming up ahead of their Nov 30 match against West Ham. Salah was omitted from the match.
PHOTO: EPA
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- Slot admitted Salah was unhappy being benched against West Ham, praising his professionalism despite a drop in form and confirming he will leave for AFCON on Dec 15.
- Arsenal's Arteta urges fans for "animal" energy against Brentford, facing injury concerns for key players Saliba and Trossard but Brentford striker Igor Thiago is on form.
- Chelsea seeks their fourth win in five league games against Leeds, while pondering a replacement for the suspended Caicedo, with Acheampong and James as options.
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ANFIELD – Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted on Dec 2 that “superhuman” Mohamed Salah was unhappy about being omitted from their 2-0 win against West Ham United,
The Egypt forward was an unused substitute at the London Stadium on Nov 30, as Slot made changes following a poor run of nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions.
The misfiring Salah has scored just four Premier League goals this season – in stark contrast to his Golden Boot-winning haul of 29 last season.
Slot told reporters that during his reign as manager at Anfield, Salah had been a “superhuman being” but that he had not been at his best in recent weeks.
The Dutchman, whose team host high-flying Sunderland on Dec 3, said he was not surprised by Salah’s reaction to being left out, praising his professionalism.
“That’s a normal reaction from a player that’s good enough to play for us,” he said.
“And I say it mildly, because he’s been so outstanding for this club for so many years, and will be for us in the future.
“So, yeah, of course a player isn’t happy when they’re not playing. He wasn’t the only one who wasn’t happy that he wasn’t starting.”
Despite being dropped, Salah was supportive of his teammates, Slot added.
“You cannot be a player that’s available every three days and play on that high standard if you go with your emotions,” he said.
“But Mo is so disciplined, knows what to do to stay fit, and no matter if he plays well, doesn’t play well. If he plays or if he doesn’t play, he will always be that top professional.”
While Slot stopped short of confirming if Salah will return to the starting line-up against Sunderland, he revealed that the 33-year-old Egyptian will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Dec 15, but will be available for the Dec 13 league match against Brighton & Hove Albion at home.
The Afcon starts on Dec 21. If seven-time champions Egypt reach the Jan 18 final, Salah would miss seven Liverpool matches.
The win over West Ham moved the champions to eighth in the table on 21 points, nine behind leaders Arsenal, after their worst 12-game stretch across all competitions in more than 70 years.
Slot’s men have lost their last two home games, but Sunderland, who are sixth on 22 points, have not won at Anfield since 1983.
A positive for Slot is that record signing Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal in eight appearances for his new team against the Hammers.
Florian Wirtz also returned after missing two games with an injury, while Joe Gomez made his first top-flight start for 11 months.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal and their fans to bring energy “like animals” when they host Brentford on Dec 3.
Two draws in three Premier League games have reduced the lead at the top to five points for the Gunners.
“Like animals, everybody at the Emirates, to go again and beat Brentford,” he said on Dec 2.
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is a doubt along with winger Leandro Trossard, after both players missed the 1-1 draw at 10-man Chelsea on Nov 30 due to injuries.
Defender Gabriel Magalhaes and forward Kai Havertz are still weeks away from returning.
“Players not training in certain positions having to play there... this season has been the worst in some areas, especially in the front line and now what’s happening with the backline,” Arteta added.
They will need to keep a close eye on Brentford striker Igor Thiago, whose brace in the 3-1 win over Burnley on Nov 29 took his Premier League goal tally to 11 – just three behind leading scorer Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
Third-placed Chelsea, who are six points behind the leaders, will be seeking their fourth win in five league games when they visit Leeds United, who have lost six of their last seven games.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca is still mulling over the replacement for midfielder Moises Caicedo, who is suspended after his red card in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
His options include Josh Acheampong and captain Reece James. AFP, REUTERS
