Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged that Mohamed Salah’s absence from the starting lineup for two consecutive matches should remind everyone that no position is secure.
The Egypt international sat on the bench as an unused substitute for Sunday’s victory over West Ham and was also a substitute in the 1-1 draw at home against Sunderland. This marked the first instance in his Anfield career where he didn’t start in back-to-back league matches.
Although he played in the second half, he struggled to make a significant impact and has now gone five matches without a goal. His scoring record, with just seven goals in 30 games, raises concerns about his place in the starting team.
Despite having an impressive career tally of 250 goals over eight seasons, with no fewer than 23 goals in any season, Salah has only netted twice since September 17, a decline that reflects the team’s overall struggles.
“That’s always been the case. There’s no unlimited credit; everyone has to perform,” Van Dijk said regarding Salah’s situation in the squad. “Mo has been effective, but the manager made that choice for the last two matches. We all want what’s best for the club.”
“I believe Mo will continue to play a vital role in our goals because he’s an exceptional talent who has proven himself time and again. However, we are all working towards finding consistency. He needs us at our best, and we need him, and that’s what we’re focused on,” Van Dijk added. “He remains an outstanding player, and we should recognize the reasons for his success at the club.”
“I rely on him as one of our leaders. While he’s understandably disappointed, that’s a normal reaction. If someone doesn’t feel that way after being benched for two matches, there’s a problem,” he stated.
After ending a streak of nine defeats in 12 matches at West Ham, Arne Slot’s side failed to build on their momentum, with a disappointing performance against Sunderland.
Florian Wirtz, whose deflected shot equalized in the 81st minute, is showing signs of regaining the form that justified his £116 million ($154.8m) signing from Bayer Leverkusen.
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“That’s exactly why a club like us signed him; he’s an incredible, world-class player who has even more potential. It just requires time,” said Van Dijk. “He needs to remain grounded, avoiding being swayed by the external pressures surrounding performances and statistics. It’s not just about goals, assists, or clean sheets; it’s also about his overall contribution, which isn’t always quantifiable, and that should sometimes be the focus.”