The relationship between Liverpool manager Arne Slot and star forward Mohamed Salah is under intense scrutiny after the Egyptian was left out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive match. This decision, during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, has sparked major debate about Salah's role and future at the club.
Redknapp's Stark Warning: 'An Elite Player Won't Accept the Bench'
Former England midfielder and prominent pundit Jamie Redknapp has voiced serious concerns about the developing situation. While cautious about drawing direct parallels to historic fallouts like Alan Shearer and Ruud Gullit, Redknapp believes the current tension is unsustainable. "It does feel like something has to give," he stated during an analysis on Sky Sports.
Redknapp emphasized that a player of Salah's caliber is unlikely to accept a reduced role. "There is no way Mohamed Salah is going to be content being a bit-part player in this team," he asserted. He suggested that a departure, either in the January transfer window or next summer, is a probable outcome if the situation does not improve. "I think he deserves the right to move on if things aren’t going 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."
A Subdued Impact and Carragher's 'Dropped' Verdict
Salah was introduced at half-time against Sunderland as Liverpool chased a winning goal, but the 31-year-old struggled to impose himself on the game. Redknapp described it as "a really difficult night for him." He also questioned the timing of Slot's decision, noting that Salah will soon depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). "For the manager to leave him out when you’re possibly going to lose him for eight games during AFCON, you’ve got to play him while you can."
Fellow pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher went further, arguing that this was not mere rotation. "For him to be on the bench doesn’t feel like rest or rotation; it feels like he’s been dropped," Carragher said. He expressed surprise that Salah didn't start at Anfield against a deep-defending side like Sunderland, a scenario tailor-made for his creativity.
A Pivotal Moment for Liverpool's Future
The ongoing saga points to a potential strategic shift under Arne Slot. Carragher hinted that the club may be beginning a transition away from its reliance on Salah. "Sooner or later, Liverpool do have to pivot away from being the ‘Salah team’ and toward being the ‘Wirtz and Isak team,’ and maybe we saw a glimpse of that today," he remarked, referencing Liverpool's newer attacking signings.
This episode follows Salah's omission from the starting XI in Liverpool's previous match, a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United. With the January window approaching and a major international tournament on the horizon, the pressure is mounting on both Slot and Salah to resolve what is becoming a defining narrative of Liverpool's season. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this is a temporary tactical hiccup or the beginning of the end of an era at Anfield.
