Image Credits: Imago Images
Arne Slot finally found the circuit breaker for Liverpool’s spiraling season on Sunday, but it required leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench for the full 90 minutes.
After a disastrous run of six defeats in seven league games that had left the Reds languishing in mid-table, Liverpool returned to winning ways with a gritty 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Goals from summer signing Alexander Isak – his first Premier League strike for the club – and a stoppage-time strike from Cody Gakpo secured the three points, but the headline story remained the unused No. 11 on the sidelines.
For the first time since April 2024, Salah was named amongst the substitutes for a Premier League fixture, a decision Slot attributed to “rotation” amidst a congested schedule of four games in ten days.
Speaking after the game, Slot has asserted that the Egyptian will remain “important” for the club in the future:
“Every time I don’t play Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitke or Mohamed Salah, it’s about that which is understandable was they are all outstanding players,” Slot said.
“Mo has had an unbelievable career at this club and will have a very good future at this club because he is such a special player.
“Four games in 10 days with only 14-15 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 West Ham set-up with a full-back that is constantly high and a winger who is constantly inside, I thought that this could help the team. But Mo has been so important for this club and will be important for this club in the future.”
Mohamed Salah could depart Liverpool as early as December 8 to join Egypt’s AFCON preparations.
FIFA regulations mandate that participating nations can call up players fourteen days before the tournament begins.
Since AFCON kicks off on December 21, the CAF has requested Salah’s release by December 8.
Egypt have scheduled a training camp beginning December 1 and a friendly against Nigeria on December 14.
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