![\"Mohamed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2248007212.jpg\")
Mohamed Salah was named as a Premier League substitute for the first time in more than a year at the weekend(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nLiverpool forward Mohamed Salah was named as a substitute against West Ham United on SundayMohamed Salah was named as a Premier League substitute for the first time in more than a year at the weekend(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Mohamed Salah will feel he has a point to prove after being benched for a Premier League<\/a> game for the first time in more than a year. The Liverpool<\/a> hero was forced to watch on as the Reds recorded a much-needed 2-0 win over West Ham United<\/a>.<\/p>\n It was the first time that Arne Slot dropped Salah for a league match<\/a> and the iconic forward had a fiery response when he was last named on the bench in the Premier League over a year ago. In April 2024, Jurgen Klopp<\/a> chose to rest Salah<\/a> after a similar period of poor form by his own standards, coincidentally also away at West Ham<\/a>.<\/p>\n Unlike at the weekend, Klopp<\/a> chose to bring Salah on as a substitute. However, as he waited to be introduced, West Ham equalised to make the game 2-2 and this soon led to a verbal spat between the winger and his manager.<\/p>\n Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez stepped in to distance Salah from Klopp but the incident was caught on camera. Unfortunately for the Reds, it did not result in a game-changing moment, with Klopp\u2019s side forced to settle for a point, which further dented their title hopes.<\/p>\n When asked about the incident, Klopp played down their argument: “No [I can’t say what was said], but we spoke about it already in the dressing room. For me, it’s done.” However, Salah\u2019s comments suggested the issue had not been fully resolved.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Liverpool’s next five Premier League fixtures compared to Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd<\/a>READ MORE: Alexander Isak makes Liverpool statement as Jamie Carragher feelings clear<\/a><\/p>\n As he walked past reporters in the mixed zone, Salah said: “If I speak, there will be fire.” Those words demonstrated that Salah was not ready to step away from being Liverpool\u2019s best player and Slot will hope his decision to bench him can ignite a similar spark.<\/p>\n The clash with Klopp came the day after Slot had been named as the manager\u2019s successor. Salah more than proved his worth under the new boss last season, scoring 29 in 38 league games to fire Liverpool to their second Premier League title.<\/p>\n However, Salah has been unable to lift Liverpool out of their recent slump. Slot\u2019s team had lost nine of their last 12 before their triumph over West Ham, with Salah finding the net just twice during that run.<\/p>\n Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n Salah is yet to respond to being benched by Slot but the decision could provide the extra drive required to inspire a return to form. Liverpool will hope their talisman can push them up the table before he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations later this month. The Reds start December in eighth place, nine points off leaders Arsenal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Slot has insisted his decision to drop Salah was to rotate his team ahead of a busy schedule. \u201cWe have more players on the bench than just Mo, but I understand why you ask the question,\u201d he told Sky Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re playing four games in 10 days. I have many good players, so today I chose this line-up. Sometimes [Alexander] Isak has been on the bench, sometimes [Florian] Wirtz, so I understand why it\u2019s about the players on the bench, but it\u2019s also about those that start.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not an easy decision as I have many more than 11 good players \u2013 it\u2019s not the first time I haven\u2019t played Mo, just like I\u2019ve decided not to play Isak, Wirtz and [Hugo] Etikite.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us, and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Mohamed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2235435949-1.jpg\")
Salah enjoyed his first season under Arne Slot(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764080232_147_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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