Mohamed Salah leaving the pitch in Leipzig. (Image: TNT Sports)
Mohamed Salah was visibly displeased after being substituted during Liverpool’s match against RB Leipzig in Germany. The Egyptian star was taken off just past the hour mark at the Red Bull Arena, with Liverpool leading 1-0.
This marked only the fourth time this season that he didn’t play a full match. With an important game against Arsenal looming on Sunday, and Liverpool aiming to retain their Premier League top spot, head coach Arne Slot appears to be preserving his key player for the upcoming match.
However, Salah seemed to disagree with this strategy, as evidenced by his shoulder shrug and gestures towards the bench when he was replaced by Luis Diaz at the 63-minute mark. His dissatisfaction was also apparent when he shook hands with Slot.
Despite this, it’s clear that Slot is considering the long-term plan, and it’s not believed to be anything more serious than that. But for a competitive player like Salah, who aims to play every minute of every match and score in each one, being substituted early doesn’t sit well with him.
Given his impressive record of seven goals and six assists before tonight’s match, it’s understandable why he’d want to continue his streak.
Indeed, Salah assisted Darwin Nunez for Liverpool’s first goal of the night, bringing his total to 14 goal contributions in just 12 games across all competitions for the 2024-25 season.
Mohamed Salah cut a frustrated figure in the Champions League. (Image: Getty.)
It’s probable that Salah will swiftly move past his substitution, with Slot set to have a comprehensive discussion with him post-match. This suggests we’ll soon see the Egyptian king grinning again.
Should the Egypt international net a goal against Arsenal this weekend, any previous issues will be brushed aside as if they never occurred, and regular proceedings will recommence.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1966394/Liverpool-news-Mohamed-Salah-Leipzig-sub