Liverpool’s loss to Leeds United today has already sparked intense debate across England, but the loudest voice came from the opposition dugout. Leeds manager Daniel Farke did not hold back in his press conference, boldly declaring that he knew the match was already won “the moment I didn’t see Salah in their lineup.”
It was a statement that instantly sent shockwaves across the Premier League landscape. Arne Slot, who has enjoyed strong support in his early Liverpool tenure, now finds himself facing some of the sharpest tactical criticism of his reign so far.
And according to Farke, the entire story of the match can be traced back to one single decision made before a ball was kicked.
Daniel Farke’s Claim: The Turning Point Was Before Kickoff
Farke spoke with clarity and confidence, making it clear that he believed Liverpool handicapped themselves long before the opening whistle.
“When I looked at the teamsheet and didn’t see Salah, I knew the game had tilted in our favour immediately.”
He went on to describe Salah not just as a goal threat but as a psychological weapon. Teams approach matches differently when the Egyptian is present. His absence, Farke suggested, encouraged Leeds to press higher, take more risks, and impose physical intensity without fear of being punished by Liverpool’s most dangerous outlet.
“Slot caused his own problem today. By benching that particular player, he solved our biggest headache for us.”
Although he never mentioned Salah’s name again directly, the implication was unmistakable.
The Tactical Impact: How Salah’s Absence Changed Everything
Liverpool’s system under Arne Slot thrives on width, movement, and transitional explosiveness. Even when Salah is not scoring, he stretches defensive lines, pins full-backs, and forces teams to adapt their entire defensive shape.
Today, Liverpool lacked that spark.
Without Salah:
Leeds pushed their defensive line higher
The midfield pressed aggressively without fear of being broken through
Liverpool struggled to progress the ball in wide areas
Jota and Diaz were double-marked more easily
Leeds’ center-backs were never dragged out of position
Slot’s attempt to rotate his squad or introduce tactical unpredictability instead resulted in predictable patterns that Leeds exploited.
What Arne Slot Was Thinking: Context Behind the Decision
Sources around Liverpool indicated Slot wanted to rest Salah after fatigue concerns following a congested run of fixtures. The manager reportedly believed that Liverpool had enough firepower even without their talisman.
Liverpool insiders have suggested that Slot also hoped to introduce a more fluid front three, with more interchange and less reliance on direct wide play.
However, the gamble clearly backfired.
Inside the Dressing Room: Reactions and Confusion
Several players were reportedly surprised by the decision to bench Salah, especially given his history of being nearly undroppable in high-stakes games.
One unnamed Liverpool squad member was quoted saying:
“It felt strange. We’re used to starting strong with Mo. Teams fear him. Without him, they came at us differently.”