He wasn't happy - but he reacted like a leader

SLOT PRAISES SALAH AFTER WEST HAM DROPPING

- By THEO SQUIRES ECHO Reporter

ARNE Slot has admitted that Mohamed Salah was not happy to be left out of his Liverpool side for the victory over West Ham United as he also revealed when the Egyptian will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 33-year-old was left as an unused substitute as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo earned a 2-0 win at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Salah was an ever-present in the Premier League as Liverpool won the title last season, with their trip to West Ham marking the first time Slot had left the forward out of his starting lineup in the English top flight.

However, Salah has found his place in the side the subject of increasing scrutiny following a number of below-par performances as the Reds lost nine of their 12 matches prior to the weekend trip to the capital.

It remains to be seen if the forward will be restored to Slot's starting XI for tonight's clash with Sunderland or if the Dutchman will keep faith with the attack that helped Liverpool return to winning ways.