Arne Slot has made a decisive statement about Mohamed Salah as the Reds turn their focus to Wednesday’s clash with Sunderland.
Salah started on the bench for Liverpool’s visit to the London Stadium, with Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Alexander Isak leading the line. Both Wirtz and Isak had chances to score in the first half, but the sides went into the break level. It was Isak who eventually opened the scoring, finishing confidently after being set up by Gakpo.
Liverpool then held firm to secure its first win in nearly a month, with Gakpo adding a stoppage-time goal to seal the victory. Before the match, Slot insisted Salah had not been dropped, explaining that the forward had played heavy minutes recently and was simply being rotated.
Salah had started every league match he was available for since a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium in April 2024, back when Jurgen Klopp was still in charge.
Speaking to the BBC post-match, Slot defended his decision to bench the Egyptian.
"We play a lot of games. In 10 days, we played four," said Slot.
"These players are such quality players. Mo has been so important for the club and will be so important for the club, so let's see what happens on Wednesday [against Sunderland]."
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute against West Ham (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Hinting at it being a tactical decision, the Dutchman added: "Four games in 10 days with only 14 to 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 they set up, with a full-back that is constantly very high and a winger that is constantly inside, I thought this could help the team."
Slot was relieved to see his defense finally secure a clean sheet on Sunday, especially after conceding 10 goals across its previous three matches.
"A win, and that was what we mainly needed, and we got a clean sheet as well, which is always helpful," Slot told the BBC's Match of the Day at full-time.
"Not giving anything away to the other team as a gift, as we have done far too many times this season. The other team hardly created a chance except in the final minute through [Jarrod] Bowen.
"West Ham made it a difficult game for us, but we did very well defensively. The good thing was that they only had one chance."
Sunday’s victory has pushed Liverpool back into the top half of the Premier League table, with the Reds now sitting in eighth place.