‘Won’t like that’: Lineker believes Liverpool star will be fuming after ‘statement’ Slot decision vs Man United

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Arne Slot certainly went bold towards the end of Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester United.The Reds have entered unfamiliar territory after losing four successive games for the first time since November 2014.Slot is certainly under a fair bit of pressure and needs to make some changes to keep Liverpool’s title defence alive, although he will have to upset a few stars.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. The Reds have so many options that he is bound to leave at least a few players annoyed with his decisions, although he proved that he is not afraid of this towards the end of their game on Sunday.Gary Lineker believes that one decision in particular was a real ‘statement’, although it will have left one star fuming.Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty ImagesArne Slot was brave to take off Mohamed SalahAs seen over the years, when Liverpool desperately need a goal, so often it is Mohamed Salah who provides just that, with the Egyptian saving the day on too many occasions to count.So, when 2-1 down against Man United with only four minutes plus added time to play, the decision to take Salah off would have come as a huge surprise.This is not because Liverpool fans disagree, as many would have probably said he should have come off earlier, but because not many managers would have been brave enough to do it.Lineker also believes that this was a bold choice, although he says that Salah will not be happy with it one bit.

“It was interesting, almost a statement from Arne Slot, that he brought Mo Salah off,” he said on The Rest is Football Podcast.“Trailing 2-1 when you need a goal. We know what Mo’s like, he can pop up.

I know he missed a chance and he was very quiet in the game, but it was an interesting decision.READ MORE: Alexander Isak backed to emulate Fernando Torres at Liverpool – and not in a good way“It nearly paid off immediately because Frimpong went down, crossed the ball and Gakpo should have scored. But I just thought, ‘Hmm… Mo won’t like that’, you know Mo.”Do Liverpool need to bench Mohamed Salah?The Egyptian certainly has not been himself so far this season and has really looked off the pace, with this a key reason why the team as a whole have struggled.Where that is down to change or his age is not fully known, although what is, is that he is no longer untouchable.Slot has already benched him during the Champions League, so there is no reason to suggest he will not do it again if things do not improve.The reputation he has earned himself has probably given him enough in the bank to prove why he should still be starting, but that will not last forever unless he finds his shooting boots again.