Arne Slot cannot do right for wrong in the eyes of many Liverpool fans right now, and this stretched to his handling of Mohamed Salah’s farewell on Sunday.
Having started his final appearance for the Reds against Brentford – and come up with a go-ahead assist – Salah was always going to come off early to receive a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd.
However, some supporters were seemingly upset with just how early Slot chose to end the Egyptian King’s Liverpool career, with his substitution coming on the 74th minute – and with the Reds chasing a goal.
Why do you think Liverpool did not hand Mo a microphone during his Anfield farewell?
Surely he deserved the chance to say his piece!
But while plenty are bashing Slot for yet another decision they feel he has got wrong, the Liverpool head coach actually had Salah’s interests at heart.
Slot was protecting Salah’s fitness
It was a slight surprise to see Salah start Sunday’s game, not because of the fallout from his explosive comments last week, but because he has been carrying an injury.
The 33-year-old only featured as a late substitute during the loss against Aston Villa, and had missed the previous two Liverpool games through injury.
Even with his poor form this season, Liverpool would still rather have Salah on the pitch when they need a goal, and had he been fully fit, Slot would surely have kept him on for the full 90 minutes, or close to it.
READ MORE: Alisson, Konate and Jones: What final day clues told us about their Liverpool futures
But Salah has a World Cup coming up, and having been not fully recovered from a dislocated shoulder the last time Egypt featured in the tournament, he will want to be at peak fitness this time around.
His recent hamstring injury may prevent that from fully being the case, but in taking him off early, Slot prevented the issue cropping up again before Egypt kick off.
Liverpool fans must give Slot a break
Salah’s row with Slot has threatened to divide the Liverpool fanbase in two throughout this season.
If you criticise Salah for his conduct in coming out and publicly, it means that you are fully endorsing Slot and absolving him of all responsibility, and vice-versa.
While the Dutch coach has clearly got plenty wrong throughout the season, he has actually handled Salah delicately and with respect since the veteran’s outburst in December.
He has had a lot to contend with this season, and there are legitimate reasons to be upset with his stewardship of the team.
For what it is worth, though, his handling of Salah should not be one of them. The iconic No. 11 simply ran out of steam, and it has been clear for a while that the time to part ways is right for everyone.
Slot should be not made public enemy number one for every little decision he makes. How long he would play for had likely been agreed with Salah ahead of the game, and may even have had some involvement from Egypt themselves. Criticise him for plenty, but for this, Slot deserves a bit of a break.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
