Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Anfield has further fuelled concerns about the reigning Premier League champions, with two players having already voiced their “unhappiness” over Arne Slot’s decisions this season. The Reds dropped another two points on Wednesday, having to claw back from a goal down after Chemsdine Talbi’s opener. Nordi Mukiele’s own-goal in the 81st minute equalised the score, but Liverpool couldn’t find a second, leaving them stuck in eighth place.

Mohamed Salah was left on the bench for the second consecutive match, having not been used in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over West Ham. Slot disclosed that Salah had expressed his disappointment upon learning he wouldn’t be in the starting line-up against the Hammers. “Fair assumption and normal reaction for someone who can play for us,” Slot commented ahead of Wednesday’s draw with Sunderland. “Of course, a player isn’t happy he isn’t playing, he wasn’t the only one I can tell you.”

Slot praised Salah for his professional attitude despite being left out of the starting XI, noting that the Egyptian was “very supportive for his team-mates and handled himself really well” in spite of his disappointment.

Federico Chiesa is another player who has felt the sting of Slot’s ruthless decisions, having been left out of Liverpool‘s Champions League squad in September. The Italian international voiced his dissatisfaction, although he acknowledged the logic behind his manager’s decision.

“Of course, that is one of the most difficult things you have to do as a manager,” he admitted. “For a player not to play, it is not always easy to tell them but not to be in the squad is always more difficult. I just explained to him why we made this choice. Of course, he wasn’t happy with that.

“I think he understood my arguments – that is not to say he agreed with them. He didn’t tell me, by the way, that he didn’t agree with them! But he gave me the answer you want to hear from a player, that he will be there to help the team in the cups and in the league.”

Chiesa has only managed 15 appearances across all competitions this season, with a mere two starts, both in the Carabao Cup. Despite his limited game time, he’s contributed two goals and three assists, and has since been reinstated into Liverpool’s European squad because of an injury to Geovanni Leoni.

The 28-year-old could also potentially benefit from Salah’s absence as he seeks more starting opportunities. His prospects might improve as Salah heads off to represent Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations this month, although Slot appears to need further persuasion.