Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been urged to keep star forward Mohamed Salah on the bench for Wednesday night's Premier League fixture against Sunderland at Anfield.
Nicol's Stern Warning to Slot
Former Liverpool defender and club legend Steve Nicol has issued a stark warning to the current Reds boss. Speaking on ESPN, Nicol cautioned that reinstating the 33-year-old Egyptian to the starting eleven could be a 'big mistake'. This advice comes after Salah was named as a substitute for Liverpool's 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Nicol was adamant in his assessment, stating: 'He has to (leave him on the bench). He has to. Absolutely (they're better without him).' He emphasised the need for defensive solidity, arguing that the team's shape improved significantly with Dominik Szoboszlai operating on the right flank instead of Salah.
A Dramatic Shift for Liverpool's Star
The West Ham match marked a significant moment, being the first time Salah started a Premier League game on the bench since his infamous touchline argument with former manager Jurgen Klopp in April 2024. Last season, Salah was instrumental in Liverpool's title win, claiming both the Golden Boot and Playmaker awards with a remarkable haul of 29 goals and 18 assists.
However, his form has dipped during Liverpool's recent struggles. This campaign, he has managed just four goals and two assists in 12 league appearances. The team's 2-0 win against West Ham, courtesy of goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, ended a poor run of form that had seen them lose nine of their previous 13 matches in all competitions.
The Case for Continuity
Nicol's argument centres on the improved defensive structure displayed against West Ham. He praised Szoboszlai's work rate, noting the Hungarian's willingness to track back and help his full-back, contrasting it with Salah's more stationary wide role.
'The whole shape defensively was miles better,' Nicol explained. 'They're not going to get better if they just all of a sudden go back to what they were doing and teams start streaming through them again. You've got to look after the base, the solid structure that they had.'
Despite the victory lifting Liverpool to eighth in the table, Slot now faces a major selection dilemma ahead of Sunderland's visit. The manager has already praised Salah's professional reaction to being dropped, while acknowledging the player was unhappy with the decision.
The clash at Anfield presents Slot with a critical choice: recall his legendary but out-of-form attacker or maintain the lineup that finally provided a clean sheet and a much-needed win.
