Steve Nicol claims that manager Arne Slot would be “in the wrong job” if he prioritized finding a way to fit Mohamed Salah back into the starting eleven for the upcoming match against Sunderland.
Former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol has issued a stark warning to manager Arne Slot, claiming the Dutchman is “in the wrong job” if he decides to restore Mohamed Salah to the starting line-up for the upcoming match against Sunderland, according to a report from LiverpoolWorld.
Slot made the bold decision to omit Salah from the starting XI for the previous match against West Ham United, a decision that arrived with the backdrop of Liverpool having suffered nine defeats in their previous 12 games. The decision paid off, as Liverpool secured a 2-0 triumph at West Ham.
Speaking on ESPN, Nicol strongly urged Slot to maintain the status quo for the quick turnaround against Sunderland, where the Reds play at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Nicol argued that the team must prioritize collective performance over one individual, regardless of their history.
Nicol stated: “If Arne Slot is thinking about how I get Salah in the team, he is in the wrong job. Absolutely not (Salah should return).”
The analyst explained the rationale, noting that the team’s performance was superior without the Egyptian:
“Everything was better; there was better shape, there was no drama. You have to play the next game exactly the same.” He emphasized the need to go “game to game,” stating: “It is about the team, not one guy.”
Slot has since addressed the decision, admitting that Salah was naturally disappointed but remains a professional and important player for the club.