Back-to-back benchings raise big questions
Mohamed Salah started on the bench for the second match in a row as Liverpool were held 1-1 by Sunderland at Anfield. Arne Slot had already left him out in the win over West Ham, initially putting it down to rotation, but his latest decision suggests something more than simple squad management.
“Something has to give” between Salah and Slot
Jamie Redknapp believes this could be the start of a serious stand-off. He argued that Salah will never accept being reduced to a bit-part role and hinted that either the situation changes or a separation becomes inevitable. In his view, the “trust is broken” and a player of Salah’s stature needs clear backing from his manager.
From ever-present starter to watching from the sidelines
Before being dropped at the London Stadium, Salah had started 53 consecutive games for Liverpool. That streak makes this sudden change even more striking and has fuelled talk that this might be the beginning of the end of his Anfield career, despite his status as a modern club icon.
Impact off the bench fails to change the narrative
Salah came on at half-time against Sunderland as Liverpool chased a winner, but he struggled to influence the game. Redknapp felt it was “a really difficult night” for the forward and insisted the situation “is not going to end well either way” if he continues to be treated as a rotation option.
AFCON absence makes Slot’s call even more puzzling
Redknapp also pointed out that Liverpool could lose Salah for up to eight matches during AFCON. From his perspective, that makes leaving him out now even harder to justify: if you’re going to be without your superstar soon, you’d expect to use him as much as possible while he is available.
Sturridge defends Salah and calls for patience
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge took a more measured view. He admitted Salah has not hit his usual numbers this season, but noted that no one else in the team has either. For Sturridge, this is the first campaign where Salah’s output can be seriously questioned, and he doesn’t see him as the main reason for Liverpool’s struggles.
“He wants to be the reason Liverpool win”
Sturridge stressed that attacking players are driven by the desire to decide games, and Salah has done exactly that since he arrived. He reminded that last season the Egyptian was crucial in winning the league title and believes the current dip hurts him deeply.
Not the end yet, says Sturridge
In Sturridge’s eyes, the situation hasn’t reached breaking point. He argued that every club eventually has to make big calls on ageing stars, but feels Liverpool are not there yet. He remains confident that the team’s performances can improve and that Salah still has time to rediscover his best form under Slot.
