Liverpool manager Arne Slot has pushed back against speculation over Mohamed Salah’s future after leaving the forward out of his past two starting teams, insisting the Egyptian remains a major part of his plans.

Salah, 33, has managed only four goals in a slow start to the Premier League season and has played just 45 minutes across Liverpool’s last two matches. His reduced role has raised questions about his form and prompted fresh speculations about interest from Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Pro League is still understood to be tracking Salah’s situation, with sources suggesting there is long-standing admiration for the Liverpool star. He signed a new two-year contract in April, which keeps him at Anfield until 2027.

Slot, speaking at his press conference on Friday, stressed that Salah’s quality has not been forgotten.

“I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us,” Slot said ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Leeds United at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. “He is always in my mind to either start or to come off the bench.”

The Egyptian scored 29 goals last season as Liverpool won the league title in Slot’s first year in charge. Yet he was an unused substitute in the win at West Ham last Sunday and again began on the bench during Wednesday’s 1 1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield.

Slot said he understands why people are talking about Salah’s situation.

“The chatter, yes, because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me for six or seven years. Normally, people talk about it when he isn’t playing,” he added.

Salah has scored 250 goals in 420 appearances since joining Liverpool in 2017, firmly establishing himself as one of the club’s most important modern players.

Captain Virgil van Dijk said the decision shows that no one is guaranteed a place in the starting side.

“He is still a fantastic player, and we still have to remember there is a reason why he has been so successful at the club, and we have to respect that,” Van Dijk said after the Sunderland draw.

“I need him around as one of the leaders. I’m not worried. He’s disappointed, but that’s absolutely normal, as if you’re not disappointed when you’re not playing two games in a row, then there is an issue as well.

“That’s always been the case [that no one is undroppable]. It’s not like you have unlimited credit, everyone has to perform.”

Liverpool begins the weekend in ninth place, 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal. They have only two wins from their past nine league fixtures.

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