Egypt international has been dropped for Liverpool’s last two league games
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes Mohamed Salah’s omission from the starting XI is a warning to the squad that “everyone has to perform”.
Salah was left on the bench again in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, having also been dropped in Sunday’s win away to West Ham United. It was the first time in his Anfield career that the Egypt international had failed to start consecutive Premier League games.
The 33-year-old was brought on for Cody Gakpo at half-time, although he made little impact.
Asked whether Salah’s absence had sent a message to the squad, Van Dijk said: “That’s always been the case. It’s not like you have unlimited credit. Everyone has to perform.
“Mo has been doing that but the manager made that decision in the last two games. We all want the best for the club.
“I am pretty sure Mo will still be a big part of what we are trying to achieve because he is an amazing player and he has shown it consistently. But we are all trying to find consistency and he needs us to be in our best shape and we need him.”
Slot said earlier in the week that Salah had been upset at being benched, and Van Dijk confirmed that.
“He’s disappointed but that’s absolutely normal,” said Liverpool’s captain. “If you’re not disappointed when you’re not playing two games in a row then there is an issue as well.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp warned that the winger could not continue to remain out of the starting lineup, saying that “something has to give”.
“There is no way Mohamed Salah is going to be content being a bit-part player in this team,” Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
“Whether it’s in January or in the summer, if he finds the right clubs, I think he deserves the right to move on if things aren’t going to go his way.
“I can only see that outcome. Now that trust is broken, especially with someone like Salah, he needs that confidence and love from a manager.
Salah will be looking at it thinking, ‘I’m an elite player, there’s no way I want to be sitting on the bench for Liverpool’.
“For the manager to leave him out in a situation where you’re possibly going to lose him for eight games at Afcon – you’ve got to play him while you can.”
