Mohamed Salah's reaction to Arne Slot benching him again as Liverpool boss speaks out

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has once again been left out of Arne Slot's starting XI for their clash against Sunderland

Arne Slot claims Mohamed Salah has reacted like a true professional after being named on the bench for Liverpool's Premier League clash against Sunderland - the second time in as many Premier League matches. The forward has faced criticism in recent weeks, with the Reds struggling to find some form.

Slot has chopped and changed his frontline in recent weeks to find the right balance, naming Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, and Dominik Szoboszlai for the clash with the Black Cats - the same one he picked in the win over the Hammers. Liverpool looked solid in defence and found just enough in attack at the London Stadium, with the manager hopeful of recreating a similar result this time around.

It was a huge call from the head coach, not just in leaving Salah out of action, but also in the players that he has decided to stick with. Both Wirtz and Isak have faced fitness issues in recent weeks, with the latter particularly suffering through a few separate injury concerns since moving to Anfield. Milos Kerkez has also been dropped for Andy Robertson.

"I play the same team, it's a balance between continuity and freshness," Slot said immediately after benching Salah against Sunderland. "It's obvious and clear we need the full squad tonight because a few who start aren't able to play a full 90 again. More than ever, we need more than 11 players tonight.

"All the players have a chance to come in, Mo is definitely one of them. It's a good thing we have players like Mo available on the bench. We haven't had a long conversation. We spoke a lot after the Frankfurt game, and now not as much.

"He reacts like you want, a top professional. He trains really good and is positive towards his team-mates. He's an example when he plays, and now he's an example of how to act when you don't play."

In the clash with Sunderland, Salah was called upon at the break, with the side struggling to find any rhythm during the match. Shortly after, Liverpool went behind as Chemsdine Talbi found the back of the net.

Some fine footwork from Florian Wirtz helped the Reds draw level, with the goal going down as a Nordi Mukiele own goal. While both teams pushed, it ended as a 1-1 draw, with Liverpool unable to record back-to-back wins for the first time in a month.

Slot has faced challenges in finding the right balance, with Liverpool scoring 21 but conceding the same amount in the Premier League so far this season. The decision to bench Salah against West Ham over the weekend raised some eyebrows, with the star often among the first names on the team sheet since joining the club.

Criticisms over Salah's defensive ability have been levied against the star, while he hasn't been able to have the same sort of impact that he is used to making. The 33-year-old has scored five goals and assisted three times so far in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.

While he was dropped over the weekend, Slot revealed how tough it was for all involved to see Salah on the bench, as he said: "It is not a nice thing for him, not for a Liverpool fan and not for me. A player that has been so important for us, you want to see him on the pitch.

"I prefer to see Mo on the pitch, scoring his goals and doing something special rather than the camera being on him when he isn’t in the game. He has been so important for us, for so many years, and he will be important for us in the coming days – because it is days as he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations.”

It's a second full look that fans and spectators will get of a post-Salah Liverpool, as he gears up to join the Egypt squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Salah could be missing for over a month, as he eyes glory with his nation during the continental tournament.

While focus could drift towards that, Slot revealed that Salah had been supportive of his teammates in training, and reacted to the situation. He said: "The reaction of every player in this group, no matter whether he’s playing or not playing, is to bring the best out of yourself every single day you are in this building and when we are playing. That’s exactly the attitude he showed on Sunday and yesterday as well.”

There is some hope, however, that the move could help get the best out of Florian Wirtz, allowing the team to run through him. The German international has struggled since making the move to Merseyside, but he showed glimpses of his quality in the victory over West Ham.

Speaking to the official Liverpool website, the playmaker revealed his delight in making an impression over the weekend. He said: "I was really happy to start, because I was out for two games. I tried to give my best and to help to turn it around that we start to win games again. I'm happy that I could give my best to this.

"I was playing more as a number ten, I had the freedom to go to free spaces and create an overload. I tried to just make the possession better, tried to create chances. I had also one or two chances where I could score but I'm a bit unlucky at the moment, so I'll keep going."