Slot Faces Crucial Liverpool Test as Salah ‘Reaction’ Debate Clouds His Next Big Decision
While Arne Slot appears to have finally hit upon the correct tactical formula during the recent encounter against West Ham, his position as manager, regrettably, still hangs in the balance.
Crucially, he must steadfastly adhere to his current assessment and refrain from any tactical reversal concerning Mohamed Salah for the impending fixture against Sunderland.
It is vital to acknowledge that Slot is certainly not the singular architect of Liverpool’s precipitous descent into a state of considerable turmoil this season; however, his actions have undeniably contributed to their current predicament.
The Dutchman’s series of questionable judgments and tactical miscalculations have demonstrably exacerbated Liverpool’s noticeable absence of cohesion.
He has often appeared tactically adrift in his relentless quest to unearth the optimal starting lineup this campaign, resulting in the reigning Premier League titleholders displaying an alarming underperformance across virtually every facet of their play.
The ignominious 4-1 thrashing suffered last week at the hands of PSV Eindhoven transformed Sunday’s away fixture against West Ham into a non-negotiable triumph for both the Merseyside club and Slot himself.
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Another adverse result would undoubtedly have rendered his managerial position untenable.
Nevertheless, the Reds, perhaps assisted by a somewhat accommodating West Ham side, successfully staged a significant recovery.
Crucial strikes from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ultimately secured a priceless two-goal victory. Slot bravely executed a number of pivotal personnel adjustments for this encounter.
Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, and Isak were all afforded starting berths, with the most significant alteration seeing Dominik Szoboszlai – arguably Liverpool’s standout performer of the current season – stepping in for the visibly out-of-form Mohamed Salah on the right-hand side of the attack.
The latter decision proved to be Slot’s most impactful and arguably his most indispensable, given that Salah has regrettably become a mere shadow of his former attacking brilliance.
Furthermore, his pronounced lack of defensive contribution has only served to exacerbate Liverpool’s existing vulnerabilities in their own half.
Dominik Szoboszlai, while not naturally inclined or ideally suited to a wide attacking position, nonetheless demonstrated a prodigious dedication and tireless effort.
This immensely positive contribution offered enhanced defensive shielding along the right flank, consequently rendering Liverpool a significantly more robust and difficult-to-break-down unit compared to their recent encounters.
This prompts a pressing strategic dilemma for the manager: will Slot choose to adhere to his established approach and maintain the current winning formula, or will he opt to reintroduce the prominent forward, Mohamed Salah, to the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s crucial fixture on their home turf against Sunderland?
While Sunderland is anticipated to present a considerably more formidable challenge than West Ham United did during the weekend’s encounter, it is imperative that Slot retains the triumphant squad that secured the victory at their previous away fixture.
Specifically, he should abstain from reinstating Salah for the upcoming match.
The team possesses an enhanced probability of effectively neutralizing Sunderland’s offensive threats and maintaining a staunch defensive posture in Salah’s absence.
Furthermore, it becomes increasingly difficult to rationalise his automatic inclusion within the squad, given a noticeable decline in his impactful involvement and quality contributions in the attacking third of the pitch.
Providing an update earlier on Tuesday, Slot disclosed that Szoboszlai is expected to retain his position on the flank, while Florian Wirtz is anticipated to be sufficiently recovered to commence in the pivotal central attacking midfield role, also known as the ‘number 10’ position.
Slot conveyed to the assembled press, “Florian Wirtz had been absent from training for a fortnight or so, so for him to already accumulate such a substantial amount of playing time is indeed a very positive development.”
He further added, “It was truly heartening to witness Florian performing with such proficiency; moreover, this was not an isolated incident but a consistent display of his talent for us.
Alexander Isak also put in a commendable performance.” Regarding Isak’s condition, Slot mentioned, “He informed me on the preceding day that he had experienced some early signs of muscular discomfort, indicating potential cramp.
Therefore, his participation in today’s training session will be closely monitored to determine his readiness for the upcoming fixture.”
The incoming manager, Slot, also delved into the subject of Mohamed Salah’s disposition following his omission from the starting eleven in the recent fixture against West Ham.
Slot conveyed that the seasoned attacker conducted himself with utmost professionalism, exhibiting what he termed a “perfectly natural reaction” to the situation.
He further elaborated, when prompted about Salah’s feelings, that it is entirely understandable for a player of such exceptional caliber, one who is more than capable of representing the team at the highest level – to express dissatisfaction or disappointment at being overlooked for a starting berth.
Slot underscored Salah’s enduring significance, stating that the player has rendered stellar contributions to the club over a considerable period and is expected to remain an integral figure moving forward.
Moreover, the coach highlighted that Salah’s frustration at not commencing the game was not an isolated sentiment within the competitive squad.
His deportment was entirely consistent with the high standards one would anticipate from an individual of his professional standing.
In Mohamed’s particular case, his meticulous self-discipline is evident, as he consistently demonstrates a clear understanding of the necessary actions to preserve his peak physical condition.
When questioned about the precise timing of Salah’s departure for the African Cup of Nations tournament, Slot clarified that the date is set for December 15th.
Nevertheless, he underscored that these types of scenarios invariably involve the athlete, the club, and the national squad as principal parties, necessitating continuous deliberations to ascertain the most mutually beneficial outcome for all three entities.
He subsequently acknowledged the undeniable necessity of devising a strategic approach to maintain effective performance during his unavailability.
The firm position Slot adopts regarding Salah is anticipated to be a pivotal factor in determining his long-term prospects at Liverpool.
He has crucial, impending fixtures against Sunderland and Leeds United as opportunities to solidify his position.
Paradoxically, there is an assertion that he might be considerably more inclined to secure his tenure by demonstrating efficacy even when his preeminent, ‘outstanding’ player is presently unavailable for selection.
