Arne Slot Breaks Silence on Mohamed Salah Contract Drama: "It's Not Nice"
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has candidly discussed the emotional difficulty he experienced when benching Mohamed Salah, describing it as "not pleasant" to witness his star player relegated to the sidelines.
However, the comfortable seating at London Stadium became Salah's vantage point for Liverpool's entire Premier League encounter against West Ham United on Sunday. The 33-year-old attacker was clearly displeased with his first Premier League appearance as an unused substitute in half a decade, and Slot has now admitted he found the situation equally uncomfortable.
"It brings no joy to him, to Liverpool supporters, or to myself," the Dutch manager expressed to reporters before Wednesday's fixture against Sunderland.
"When you have a player who has contributed so significantly to our success, you naturally want to see him competing on the field. I would much rather watch Mo on the pitch, finding the net and creating magic, instead of cameras focusing on him while he's out of the action.
"His contribution to our club has been immense over many seasons, and he will continue to be vital in the upcoming period—though that period is brief as he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations."
Despite his expressed regret, nobody compelled Slot to bench Salah and implement a completely different tactical approach. Nevertheless, even this alternative has failed to fully satisfy the Reds manager.
Slot: Dominik Szoboszlai Temporary Solution Is Not Viable Long-Term
Liverpool prevented West Ham from registering even a single shot on target in what represented one of the team's most comprehensive performances during an inconsistent season. The caliber of their opponents may have contributed to this outcome—it wasn't the first occasion this campaign that the Hammers failed to test the opposing keeper—but deploying Dominik Szoboszlai on the right wing instead of Salah clearly strengthened that vulnerable area.
As Slot noted while praising Joe Gomez's return at right-back, Szoboszlai "provided him with significant support."
Nevertheless, forcing Liverpool's outstanding midfielder this season into an unfamiliar role is another aspect that left Slot feeling uncomfortable. "I don't envision Dominik as a right-sided attacker for our club's future," the visibly concerned tactician admitted.
"Dominik operates as a central midfielder who can assist us as a full-back or wide player when circumstances require it. I don't anticipate that come February or March, Dominik will be consistently deployed in that position every match. However, I cannot say with certainty at this stage.
"His natural position is in midfield rather than out wide, but his versatility allows him to support the team and myself across multiple positions when necessary. For our long-term planning, we need wingers operating in wide positions, central players in midfield roles, and defenders in their designated areas."
The prospect of Salah remaining Liverpool's long-term right-wing option seems to diminish with each passing day.