However, the advice should not be dismissed. This is a dangerous game.
He had previously started 53 consecutive Premier League games, often appearing as if he were on a single-handed mission to bring Liverpool back the title last season, which eventually happened.
Salah has made 383 starts and scored 250 times in 419 matches for Liverpool. Since transferring from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, he has made 300 league appearances in 288 starts, scoring 188 goals with a win percentage of 64%.
In all competitions, Liverpool have won 263 games during Salah’s tenure – a win ratio of 63%.
It’s a talent that can’t be dismissed, but equally Slott wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t see life at Liverpool beyond Salah – and West Ham’s win provided some clues.
It will be interesting to see whether the slot brings him back against Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday.
Having scored the only goal against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in September, Isak’s confidence would have been greatly boosted by that snap half-volley, ending a 310-minute league goal drought in his sixth appearance.
Wirtz also showed some signs of what all the fuss was about as the 22-year-old German playwright arrived at Liverpool with a touch of clever wit while on the move.
“I’ve been waiting for this and chasing this goal and sometimes it takes longer than you expect, but I’m happy to score the goal and help the win,” Isak told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day.
“It’s never easy. As a striker you need pace. Sometimes you go through these patches but hopefully this will help build good form. We defended really well and scored twice on very good days.”
For Liverpool and Slote, it was all about the win – it was only their second win in the league after beating Everton 2–1 on 20 September.
The fact this was done with their expensive summer acquisitions showing improved form will be an added boost as the pressure valve is released around the Dutchman for his future.
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