Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a clear and direct message regarding manager Arne Slott's recent tactical decisions, which saw Egyptian star Mohamed Salah left out of the starting lineup for two consecutive Premier League matches. Van Dijk emphasized that "no one has an unlimited record," stressing that current performance is the sole criterion for selection.
These statements come at a sensitive time for Liverpool, as Salah was on the bench for the team's 2-0 victory over West Ham, and the same scenario repeated itself against Sunderland on Tuesday. Salah started the match on the sidelines before coming on in the second half, but was unable to change the disappointing 1-1 draw at Anfield. This is unprecedented in the Egyptian star's Liverpool career, as he has never before been a substitute in two consecutive Premier League matches, raising questions about his future and his role in the plans of the new Dutch manager.
When asked whether the decision sent a warning message to the dressing room, Van Dijk said: “That’s always the case in football. You don’t have unlimited credit as a player; everyone is expected to perform. Mo (Salah) has been doing that for years, but the manager made this tactical decision in the last two games, and we all want what’s best for the club.” The Dutch defender added confidently: “I’m absolutely certain that Salah will remain a big part of what we’re trying to achieve because he’s an incredible player and has consistently proven that over the past few seasons.”.
Liverpool are struggling this season in their title defense, with Salah's goalscoring rate dropping significantly, having netted just four league goals so far, compared to 29 last season. This decline puts added pressure on the coaching staff to find alternative solutions to revitalize the attack, reflecting Arne Slott's boldness in making major decisions affecting his star players.
Elsewhere, Van Dijk addressed the topic of new signing Florian Wirtz, the German midfielder who joined the team from Bayer Leverkusen in a record-breaking £116 million deal. Despite a difficult start, Van Dijk praised Wirtz's abilities, saying, "There's a good reason why a club like ours would buy a player like him. He's world-class, but he needs time." Van Dijk advised his young teammate not to get caught up in the "stats game" and to focus on the team's collective contribution, especially after the controversy surrounding the equalizing goal against Sunderland, which was ultimately ruled an own goal by defender Nordi Mukiele.
