<strong>Salah</strong> Labeled a Model Professional After Omission from Starting XI - Liverpool Boss

Reds head coach Arne Slot commended forward Mohamed Salah for his professionalism following his left out of the starting lineup.

The move was made after a string of defeats of nine unsuccessful results in a dozen matches across every tournament.

This was the first time Salah had been left out of a top-flight starting XI since last April, in the era of Slot's preceding manager, Jurgen Klopp.

Salah, who represents Egypt, last campaign's top scorer, has managed only four goals in the top flight so far this year.

Slot admitted it was a "fair assumption" that Salah was disappointed about being an unused substitute at the away venue.

"That's a understandable feeling from a player of his caliber to play for us, and to put it lightly because he has been so outstanding for this club for numerous seasons and will continue to be for the future," the manager stated.

"Others felt the same who felt let down that he was on the bench and this is commonplace."

Slot added that Salah "handled himself really well" even after the omission.

"He is so disciplined - he knows exactly how to stay fit," Slot continued.

"Irrespective of he plays well or if he doesn't, if he plays or doesn't play, he will consistently remain that model professional and he demonstrated this in the recent period.

"In any athlete's career everywhere, there are also stages in your time at a club which are human. He's scored a plethora of goals for us and I am sure he will going forward."

Afcon Commitment Approaches

Slot announced that Liverpool will be lacking Salah's services from December 15th, when he leaves for the continental championship.

"We have to figure out how to play without him because he won't be here," Slot concluded.

Currently, the reigning title holders sit eighth in the Premier League, trailing by nine points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

They will welcome Sunderland on Wednesday prior to Saturday's trip to Leeds, a side presently occupying a spot in the relegation zone.

Analysis: Potential Unavailability

Based on the confirmed dates, Salah's swansong for now is expected to be the mid-December fixture against Brighton.

Should Egypt reach the tournament's climax, then Salah is unlikely to be back until mid-January as the soonest possible date.

That outcome would see him absent for up to seven matches, including a pivotal game against Arsenal on the road on 8 January.

Slot did not confirm whether he would leave Salah out over the coming weeks, he conceded the player was frustrated after the West Ham decision.