Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been hailed as a “top professional” by manager Arne Slot following the striker’s reaction to being dropped for the Premier League win at West Ham. Despite a challenging period for both player and club, Salah’s response has been praised for its discipline and professionalism.

Salah Dropped for First Time Since April 2024

After a difficult run of nine defeats in 12 games across all competitions, Slot made the decision to leave Salah on the bench for Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at the London Stadium on Sunday. This marked the first league game Salah has been dropped since April 2024 under former manager Jürgen Klopp.

Salah, the Egyptian international and Premier League Golden Boot winner last season with 29 goals, has struggled for form this campaign, scoring only four league goals. Despite this, Slot emphasized that it was normal for a player of Salah’s calibre to feel unhappy about not starting:

“That’s a normal reaction from a player that’s good enough to play for us. He has been outstanding for this club for many years and will continue to be in the future.”

Slot Praises Salah’s Professionalism

Slot highlighted Salah’s attitude in the aftermath of being benched:

“He handled himself really well. He is so disciplined – he knows what to do to stay fit. No matter if he plays well or if he doesn’t, he will always be that top professional, and that’s what he was in the last two days.”

The Liverpool manager acknowledged that all players have phases where they are human, but Salah’s record and professionalism set him apart.

Upcoming Absence for Africa Cup of Nations

Slot confirmed that Salah will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on 15 December, with Egypt’s final scheduled for 18 January 2026. This absence could see Salah miss up to seven Liverpool games, including the high-profile match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 8 January.

“We have to find a way to play without him because he won’t be here,” Slot said, stressing the need for Liverpool to adapt during Salah’s absence.

Liverpool’s Current Form

Liverpool currently sit eighth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Arsenal. Slot has made tactical adjustments, including deploying Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez down the right flank, which proved more solid against West Ham where Liverpool ended a recent losing run.

Upcoming fixtures include a home match against Sunderland on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Leeds United. Sunderland, historically unable to beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league since 1983, will be a stern test for Slot’s side.

Looking Ahead

Salah’s return from Afcon will be crucial for Liverpool’s push in the Premier League and cup competitions. In the meantime, Slot will need to manage squad rotation carefully and maintain momentum without his star forward, highlighting the challenges clubs face when key players leave for international duty.