Arne Slot discusses the decision to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench as Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-0 at the London Stadium
Mohamed Salah watches on from the substitutes bench during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on November 30, 2025 (Image: Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images)
Arne Slot played down the call to drop Mohamed Salah to the Liverpool bench after the Egypt captain was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Ham United. Salah has scored just four Premier League goals so far this season.
That is the lowest return at this stage of any of his nine campaigns on Merseyside and Salah has been questioned during a run that had seen the champions lose nine in 12 in all competitions before Sunday’s victory over the Hammers.
Goals from Alexander Isak – a first in the Premier League since his £125m move from Newcastle United – and Cody Gakpo sealed the points for the defending champions at the London Stadium.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak makes honest admission after first Liverpool Premier League goal – ‘I’m aware’READ MORE: Arne Slot blown away by what ‘special’ Liverpool supporters did in West Ham win – ‘Says a lot’
And Salah, who remained on the bench throughout, is now vying for a recall when in-form Sunderland visit Anfield on Wednesday night.
“Every time I don’t play Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike or Mohamed Salah, it’s about that which is understandable as they are all outstanding players,” Reds boss Slot said.
“Mo has had an unbelievable career at this club and will have a very good future at this club because he is such a special player.
“Four games in 10 days with only 14-15 outfield players available for us, then you have to decide once in a while to make a certain line-up and you try to pick the best line-up for every single game.
“Today, with the way West Ham set-up with a full-back that is constantly high and a winger who is constantly inside, I thought that this could help the team.
“But Mo has been so important for this club and will be important for this club in the future.”
Liverpool, who had been in the bottom half for the first time in 11 years at this stage of the campaign before kick-off in London, moved up to eighth with their victory, three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
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