Stephen Warnock hopeful of Salah-Slot reconciliation

Before leaving for AFCON, Mohamed Salah sent the football world into a tizzy by openly expressing his displeasure at manager Arne Slot for benching him in key games. The Egyptian made an appearance in Liverpool’s win against Brighton, bagging an assist, but his future is still uncertain.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes Salah and Slot can still repair their relationship, insisting the Egyptian remains too important to Liverpool’s ambitions as they chase Champions League qualification and silverware this season.

Why Salah still matters

Salah has been Liverpool’s most consistent attacker since arriving in 2017, producing incredible goal and assist numbers across multiple seasons, and Warnock feels his experience still carries huge value.

“I hope that Salah and Arne Slot can repair their relationship. I think Liverpool will be better this season with Mohamed Salah in the team, and if he can get back in the team scoring goals and making assists, I think it is good to have him.”

Warnock highlighted Salah’s reliability and understanding of the pressure that comes with playing for Liverpool, which would be very useful in a bid to close the gap with league leaders Arsenal and stay on course to be in the Champions League.

“He is reliable in the Premier League, and he understands the football club and the pressure at Liverpool. They are trying to fight their way back into the Champions League spots or even challenge for the title if Arsenal were to slip up at some point.”

“Also, they have the Champions League and we could see a second half of the season where Liverpool will be in better form and can do well in the Champions League.”

Warnock also pointed to recent tactical adjustments that could help reintegrate Salah, particularly after a promising cameo appearance against Brighton, whilst dismissing concerns over Salah’s defensive work-rate within Slot’s system.

“It is a difficult situation, but it is one that can be resolved. Hopefully it will be. I think it is interesting, because in the weekend we saw a little bit of an evolvement where we actually saw Salah play. Obviously, he came on as a sub and when he came on, it actually worked really well with him, Isak and Ekitike.”

“A lot of talk has been made about Salah not tracking back, but with this way of playing, he maybe doesn't have to do it that much.”

Salah is likely to feature for Egypt when they battle Zimbabwe later today at the Africa Cup of Nations. He is currently priced at 10/11 to score, and if you fancy backing him to do so, you can use our bet365 bonus code.

Salah’s legacy remains secure

Despite the recent tension, Warnock is adamant that Salah’s standing among Liverpool’s greats will not be damaged. He also refuted claims that the Egyptian will be on his way to a new team in the January window.

“I don't think it will affect his legacy. I think he has done enough in the game and for the football club to have the respect of the Liverpool fans.”

“I think there is a little bit of a split, because I think a small minority of Liverpool fans are really disappointed, and maybe they are thinking 'that is it with him at the football club´, because no manager is bigger than the manager or the football club. Some people will think that is the way he acted and almost betrayed himself.”

“But the cheers when he came on, the fans singing his name during and after the game, that is exactly why I think this can be repaired. I think he will stay at Liverpool until the summer, and then there is a decision to be made.”

One change that Warnock thinks Salah might have to adapt to is playing a role that’s different from what he has done over the years at Anfield.

“One thing that we found out in this short period is that Salah doesn't want to sit on the bench. He wants to play football and sitting on the bench is just not for him at all. He might have to accept from now and until the end of the season that it will be a different type of role for him. But I don't think it will affect his legacy at all.”

Semenyo, Rodrygo and Liverpool’s search for a successor

With Liverpool expected to plan ahead, Warnock assessed several potential wing options, starting with Antoine Semenyo. While he admires Semenyo’s abilities, Warnock questions whether the Ghanaian has it in him to perform at the same level when playing for a team like Liverpool, referring to Milos Kerkez’s struggles this season.

“I think they eventually have to find someone on that right hand side. Semenyo has been mentioned as a player who potentially could be that player. There is a difference between playing for Bournemouth and Liverpool. We have seen it with Milos Kerkez as well, that was the same scenario. He is the perfect case to look at when it comes to the person and the pressure to be at Liverpool.”

“I like Semenyo. I think he is a brilliant player and I think he is very capable. But do we know whether he could cope with playing in a Liverpool shirt and provide goals and assists week in week out? Before the match against Man United, he had played seven matches without scoring. If he went seven matches without scoring for Liverpool, things would be a lot different. There would be a pressure on him, especially with the money he would cost.”

“It might be something he embraces, it might be a challenge that would excite him. Maybe he would enjoy that pressure and thrive under that pressure. I like him and he is physically outstanding. I think he suits the Premier League. One thing you have to look at when finding a new player is how quickly he can adapt to the Premier League, and he already knows the Premier League. Everything will just be about how he can adapt playing for Liverpool.”

When it comes to Rodrygo, Warnock says it’s a head-scratcher as he’s unsure that bringing in a bench-warmer from Real Madrid will help Liverpool improve. He also adds that Rodrygo’s well-publicised preference to play on the left could be a deal-breaker.

“If we are looking at other players like Rodrygo, I am always thinking why take some players who are not getting in the team where they are already playing. Sometimes it can just come down to the opinion of the manager, but he is a good player. If you were going to go for him, he would suit that right wing position, but I think there has been talks about him actually wanting to play on the left hand side where Vinicius Junior has taken that position.”

“So, I don’t think he is overly happy playing on that right hand side. I think the big thing is that Liverpool's scouting network is so big, and it will be bigger than just looking at players who are not playing at their clubs. They will be scouting players with amazing stats and maybe there are cheaper options out there. Maybe even someone we don’t even know is on the radar.”

“What I think Liverpool need on that right hand side is pace and athleticism. Rodrygo and Semenyo would certainly bring that.”

Realistic expectations for the season

Warnock believes Liverpool’s season still isn’t over, and slip-ups from Arsenal could give them a way back to compete for the league.

"I think it's really interesting and depends on quite a few factors. What are Liverpool's goals this season? They have to firstly close the gap on Arsenal and hope that Arsenal slip up and hope that others take points off Arsenal.”

“I think we've seen a couple of draws recently where the gap has sort of closed a little bit. Liverpool were on an awful run and they're nine points behind? It's not the worst situation in the world. I know that Liverpool were eight points clear at one point. But a couple of slip ups and Liverpool go on a run, keep some clean sheets, the sort of mind games come into play for Arsenal and they start to panic and think, 'hang on, Liverpool are starting to hit a bit of form'."

If the title challenge fades, success elsewhere becomes crucial.

"If that's not the case, then you have to make it to Champions League football. Then you have to concentrate on trying to win the Champions League. They've got the FA Cup as well. So there's trophies to be won."

"If you can get the Champions League places and it can be caveated by making sure you win the Champions League or go on a good run in the tournament and maybe win another cup competition."

Warnock concluded by warning that failure on all fronts would force major decisions.

"If the situation is that they don't win any competitions and they don't get in the Champions League, I think then the board have got a decision to make. Is it hangover from what happened to Diogo Jota? Is it hangover from too many players being brought into the football club? Was there signs towards the end of the season that this team was starting to gel?"

"If you don't make the Champions League, I don't think that's a sign that the team's starting to gel because you'd be in the Champions League places. So then, the club has got a big decision to make in the summer."

Read more as Stephen Warnock gives his thoughts on Aston Villa's Premier League title push