Support for Slot’s Decision: Liverpool Legend John Aldridge Demands benching Mohamed Salah: "You Won't Start Even If You Are Messi"

The decision by the new Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, to keep the iconic Egyptian goal-scorer, Mohamed Salah, on the bench during Liverpool's 2-0 victory against West Ham in the last Premier League round, sparked widespread controversy. The match itself marked the team's first win after a series of three consecutive defeats.

In a show of support for this decision, former Irish international and Liverpool star of the late 1980s, John Aldridge, strongly endorsed Slot's stance. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo on Tuesday, Aldridge asserted that Salah's dip in form does not entitle him to a starting spot, regardless of his name or stardom.

Aldridge stated emphatically: "I want to see Salah on the bench again against Sunderland on Wednesday... If you’re not playing well, you don’t get a free pass to the starting XI, even if you’re Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona or Pele."

Aldridge believes that benching the player will ignite his enthusiasm and increase his motivation to prove manager Slot wrong upon his return to the starting lineup. He also expressed confidence that Salah will play again before departing later this month to join his national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.

For his part, Liverpool coach Arne Slot praised the iconic player's professional conduct despite the decision to bench him. He told a press conference on Tuesday: "The way he acted is what you expect from a professional. For Mohamed, he is highly disciplined and knows what he needs to do to keep fit." This stance reflects Slot's wise management of the situation and his emphasis on performance as the basis for selection.