Arne Slot offers Mo Salah a chance to save Liverpool career as Virgil van Dijk reacts

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Virgil van Dijk has publicly supported Mohamed Salah amid Liverpool’s recent struggles and the Egyptian star’s surprising removal from the starting lineup under manager Arne Slot.

Van Dijk emphasized that no player, including Salah, is above performance expectations at Liverpool. Following a 1-1 draw with Sunderland, he stated that “everyone must perform,” and no one has an unlimited credit, underscoring that Salah’s temporary demotion to substitute status is part of a collective disciplinary and performance standard. Despite this, Van Dijk praised Salah as a “fantastic” and “world-class” player who will continue to play a vital role once he regains form and confidence. The captain encouraged Salah to keep a level head, avoid getting caught up in statistics or external pressures, and be patient as improvement takes time.

Salah’s current slump, marked by just four Premier League goals this season, mirrors Liverpool’s broader disappointing start with six league defeats—twice as many as the entire previous season. Arne Slot has opted to bench Salah for the last two games, an unprecedented move since the player’s arrival at Anfield in 2017. Liverpool instead fielded smaller attacking rotations focusing on other talents like Alexander Isak, who scored his first league goal in Salah’s absence.

Commentators and former players have noted the growing tension around Salah’s role, highlighting that the Egyptian forward thrives on confidence and consistent selection. Jamie Redknapp remarked that Salah will never accept a secondary role and requires a manager's full faith to perform at his best. Van Dijk remains optimistic, urging patience and resilience, noting that disappointment over lineup exclusion is natural but should be followed by renewed focus.

In summary, while Liverpool’s form and Salah’s output have faltered, Van Dijk’s statements reflect a belief in Salah’s long-term importance and potential recovery under Arne Slot’s management, who is balancing multiple attacking options amid challenging team dynamics.