Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool’s recent team choices show that no one has a guaranteed place. The captain pointed to Mohamed Salah’s time on the bench in the last two Premier League games as the clearest sign of that.
Salah did not play in the 2-0 win at West Ham United. He then came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland. The 33-year-old winger has scored five goals in 19 matches this season. He also signed a two-year contract extension in April. But he has not found the same rhythm that carried Liverpool to the league title last year.
Van Dijk believes expectations remain the same for everyone.
“Mo has been doing that but the manager (Arne Slot) made that decision in the last two games. We all want the best for the club,” he said.
“That’s always been the case. It’s not like you have unlimited credit, everyone has to perform,” he told reporters.
Liverpool sit ninth with 22 points from 14 matches. They are 11 points behind Arsenal. Their struggles have continued despite spending 446 million pounds in the last transfer window.
Van Dijk discussed the importance of Salah returning to top form.
“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,” he said.
“I am pretty sure Mo will still be a big part of what we are trying to achieve because he is an amazing player and he has shown it consistently.”
