Liverpool manager Arne Slot has acknowledged that leaving Mohamed Salah out of the starting lineup against West Ham was one of the most challenging decisions he has made since taking charge. Though Salah has faced recent criticism for a slight decline in form, he has been a consistent presence in Liverpool’s starting XI for nearly eight years. As a result, Slot’s choice to bench him marked a significant moment at Anfield.
Slot admitted that the level of scrutiny Salah received afterward was far from ideal, especially for a player who has been central to Liverpool’s success for so long. He now faces another dilemma as he considers whether to recall Salah for Wednesday night’s match against Sunderland. With the Africa Cup of Nations approaching on December 15, Liverpool have only a handful of games left with their star forward before he joins the Egyptian national team.
Although Salah was understandably frustrated by the decision, Slot praised his professionalism throughout the process. He noted that Salah worked hard during and after the match, showing the same dedication that has defined his time at the club. Slot openly stated that he prefers seeing Salah on the pitch, creating the kind of moments that have made him a club icon.
Salah’s consistency over the years is remarkable. Since joining Liverpool in 2017, he has started all but 34 of the club’s 317 Premier League matches. When excluding AFCON absences, he has been unavailable for only 17. These statistics highlight why Slot struggled with the decision and opted to start Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Cody Gakpo instead during the West Ham game. Slot emphasised that Salah’s disappointment was completely understandable given his long-standing importance to the team.
Despite managing his minutes more carefully as he advances in age, Slot insists that Salah remains essential to Liverpool’s plans. His leadership, influence, and determination continue to shape the squad’s mentality. With AFCON drawing closer and key fixtures approaching, how Salah is utilised in the coming weeks may play a major role in defining Liverpool’s path forward. Even when he begins on the bench, Mohamed Salah remains a central figure in Liverpool’s ongoing story.
