Jamie Carragher has weighed in on Arne Slot's decision to bench Mohamed Salah against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, which Liverpool won 5-1 away from home
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter and Neil Docking
09:45, 23 Oct 2025
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is pictured prior to the UEFA Champions League football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC in Frankfurt
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was dropped against Eintracht Frankfurt by manager Arne Slot(Image: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher reckons Arne Slot was absolutely justified in dropping Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah for the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Egyptian superstar found himself relegated to the bench on Wednesday night, with the Reds opting to field Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike up front, alongside Florian Wirtz on the right wing and Cody Gakpo on the left, as the Reds routed the Bundesliga side 5-1.
This decision comes amid Salah's below-par campaign so far, with the forward netting just three goals and providing three assists across 12 appearances in all competitions. Consequently, supporters and experts around the globe have begun questioning whether it's time to give the 33-year-old a well-deserved breather.
That's precisely what Slot chose to do as Liverpool travelled to Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday evening for their Champions League encounter against Frankfurt, with the decision yielding instant results.
When quizzed about Slot's decision to sideline Salah - typically a cornerstone of his team - ahead of kick-off, Carragher appeared satisfied with the call. He remarked: "It remains to be seen on the game, but I just think when Mo Salah isn't being 'the legendary Mo Salah', he gets treated like one of the other players which is right," reports the Liverpool Echo.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has spoken about Mohamed Salah
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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has spoken about Mohamed Salah(Image: Getty Images)
"And you don't forget his age as well. He's 33 years of age, Liverpool will have three games in six days.
"So at the moment, if he's not at his absolute best, he shouldn't play six games in three days because there's other options there as well. We know Liverpool have spent a lot of money. Liverpool have got a big game as well on Saturday (against Brentford), so great decision, Arne."
The tactical switch ultimately paid dividends for Liverpool, who romped to a commanding 5-1 triumph over Frankfurt on foreign soil in a scintillating performance.
Rasmus Kristensen broke the deadlock for the German side 26 minutes in, leaving Reds supporters staring down the barrel of a fifth consecutive defeat. But it didn't take long for Ekitike to return to torment his old employers, levelling proceedings nine minutes later.
From that moment, the floodgates burst open for Slot's men, as Virgil van Dijk fired Liverpool ahead six minutes before the interval. Ibrahima Konate also got his name on the scoresheet as the opening period drew to a close.
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The second period proved equally thrilling, with Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai both finding the target to wrap up a resounding 5-1 victory. While Salah was brought into the action in the 74th minute, he struggled to influence proceedings, with the contest already decided by his arrival.
The triumph saw Liverpool emphatically snap a four-game losing run in spectacular style, having entered the clash following successive defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Manchester United. They will now shift their focus to Premier League action, as they take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening.
The reigning champions currently occupy third place in the league table, four points adrift of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, and will be aiming to close the gap and gain momentum this weekend.