Arne Slot hailed the professionalism of Mohamed Salah as he stressed that Liverpool must learn to play without the Egyptian.

Salah registered 57 goal involvements in all competitions for Liverpool last term, but has failed to hit the same heights this season.

And after Liverpool lost three games on the spin, Slot elected to drop Salah to the bench for Sunday's Premier League trip to West Ham. 

It was the first time under Slot that Salah did not start a Premier League game for Liverpool.

In fact, it was the first time he was not named in the starting XI for the Reds since April 2024, also away against West Ham – ending a run of 53 successive league starts.

Liverpool came away with a 2-0 win, but ahead of the Reds facing Sunderland on Wednesday, Slot stressed that Salah is still very much key to his plans.

However, Slot warned that, with the Africa Cup of Nations coming up later in December, Liverpool must get used to operating without Salah, anyway.

"It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us, and I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future," Slot said.

"He wasn't the only one who wasn't happy that he wasn't starting and that is normal.

"He is so disciplined – he knows what to do to stay fit.

"No matter if he plays well or if he doesn't play well, if he plays or doesn't play, he will always be that top professional and that's what he was in the last two days.

"With all players around the world, there are also phases in your time at the club where they are human. He's scored so many goals for us, and I am sure he will in the future."

Slot confirmed that Salah will depart to join up with Egypt's squad on December 15, two days after Liverpool play Brighton.

"We have to find a way to play without him because he won't be here," Slot said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

While Liverpool coped without Salah just fine against West Ham, Slot may be tempted to play the 33-year-old against Sunderland, given the forward's record against promoted clubs.

Salah has scored eight goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against promoted sides.

However, Sunderland are one of four teams he has faced without scoring against in his top-flight career, though his only game against them was for Chelsea in a 2-1 defeat back in April 2014.

Sunderland – Brian Brobbey

Brobbey netted Sunderland's winner in their 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light last time out.

All three of Brobbey's Premier League goals (two) and assists (one) this season have either put Sunderland in the lead (two) or drawn them level (one), coming off the bench in all three of those matches, with his most memorable goal being their equaliser in a 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal.

MATCH PREDICTION: LIVERPOOL WIN

This will be Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris' first game against Liverpool. French managers are winless in their last 16 Premier League meetings with the Reds (D8 L8) since Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to a 4-1 victory in April 2015.

Liverpool have won their last 12 Premier League matches against newly promoted clubs, while at Anfield they have won 26 of their last 28 (D1 L1), including the last 12 in a row. The last promoted team to beat them there was Fulham in March 2021.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have lost 13 of their 16 Premier League away games against reigning champions (W2 D1), with their two victories coming at Chelsea in 2010-11 (3-0) and Manchester United in 2013-14 (1-0).

The Black Cats are also winless in their last 18 away league games against Liverpool (D9 L9), with their last victory at Anfield coming in October 1983 (1-0).

Indeed, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games against Sunderland (W6 D4), since a 1-0 loss in March 2012. Their last meeting was a 2-2 draw in January 2017.

But Liverpool have lost two of their last three home Premier League games, as many as in their previous 53 combined (W41 D10). However, the Reds have not lost consecutive home games since a six-game losing run between January and March 2021, with those matches all played behind closed doors.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Liverpool – 68.7%

Draw – 17.4%

Sunderland – 13.9%