Arne Slot explained his decision to drop Mo Salah in Liverpool’s 2-0 win away at West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds suffered a ninth defeat in 12 games on Wednesday when they were beaten 4-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, following on from 3-0 Anfield loss to Nottingham Forest just days earlier.
With pressure piling on Slot, the Reds travelled to the London Stadium to play West Ham in their latest fixture – going into the game in their worst run of form for 70 years.
And Slot elected to make some notable changes, particularly down the right-hand side. He brought Joe Gomez back in at right-back and moved Dominik Szoboszlai, arguably Liverpool’s best player this season, to the ring-wing position.
£125 million record signing Alexander Isakcame back into the side to lead the line, with fellow big-money recruit Florian Wirtz starting behind him as a No.10.
Florian Wirtz started against West Ham on Sunday. Image: Getty
But it meant that Mo Salah, Liverpool’s talisman who had been near undroppable at one stage, was demoted to the bench alongside Hugo Ekitike after starting against PSV.
Naturally, Slot was quizzed on his decision to take Salah out of his starting XI and explained that the fixture pile-up was the driving factor.
“We have more players on the bench than just Mo, but I understand why you ask the question,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
“We’re playing four games in 10 days. I have many good players, so today I chose this line-up. Sometimes Isak has been on the bench, sometimes Wirtz, so I understand why it’s about the players on the bench, but it’s also about those that start.
“It’s not an easy decision, as I have many more than 11 good players – it’s not the first time I haven’t played Mo, just like I’ve decided not to play Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike.”
Liverpool finally ended their wretched run with a 2-0 win, with Isak finally opening his account in the Premier League before Cody Gakpo sealed the victory late on.
Salah watched West Ham vs Liverpool from the bench. Image: Getty
Salah fired Liverpool to the title last season and was rewarded with a bumper new contract but the Egyptian has not been his usual prolific self this term, managing just four goals and two assists in the Premier League.
He will soon be absent for Liverpool for an extended period as he prepares to captain Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on December 21 and runs until January 18.
With a training camp on December 1 and a friendly pencilled in against Nigeria six days later, it’s been claimed that Egyptian FA president Hani Abu Rida wants an early release for Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.
As expected, both clubs want to keep their players for as long as possible before they head off to participate in the tournament and will await a verdict from FIFA on the matter.