Mohamed Salah lost his place in the Liverpool eleven for the 2-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday.
Dominik Szoboszlai replaced Salah on the right flank for the game, with makeshift right-back Joe Gomez pushed high and wide during the 90 minutes.
The Egyptian isn’t benched often, but did respond brilliantly last time it happened, starring in a clash with Tottenham in the following game.
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Is this the beginning of the end for Salah?
Mohamed Salah looks dejected during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah after 13 Premier League games 24/25:
11 goals
7 assists
Mohamed Salah after 13 Premier League games 25/26:
4 goals
2 assists
After Sunday’s snub, Alan Shearer sent a clear message to Salah, telling the 33-year-old he could not complain.
Now, though, another Liverpool player has been told he should not be happy with how Arne Slot is using him right now.
Frank Leboeuf says Hugo Ekitike should be upset
Speaking to ESPN, former France international Frank Leboeuf commented on Hugo Ekitike’s game time.
His countryman was dropped to the bench for Alexander Isak on Saturday, and Leboeuf thinks he should be very upset.
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He said: “If I am Ekitike, I would be very upset because, when he came on, we saw the difference with his involvement, his technique, what he does for the team and the chances he can create.”
It is worth noting that Ekitike was injured during the Reds’ 4-1 loss to PSV last week.
Whether that played any role in him being dropped for Isak isn’t fully clear, but this is not the first time in recent weeks that the striker has been told he should be unhappy.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool in the rain at the Etihad Stadium during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney told Hugo Ekitike to be fuming
Liverpool fans love Ekitike but given the huge sum paid out for Isak, it’s clear the Swede is going to play a lot when fit.
Harsh on the former Eintracht Frankfurt man? Perhaps, especially as he’s still their top goalscorer in all competitions with six.
His lack of starts is becoming a topic of debate among former players and pundits.
Wayne Rooney explained why Ekitike should be ‘fuming’ after being dropped against Nottingham Forest.
He said: “None of them [summer signings] have really paid off apart from Hugo Ekitike.
“If I was Ekitike, I’d be fuming if I wasn’t playing.”
Liverpool now face Sunderland on Wednesday evening, their second of three games in six days. Slot could rotate his team and potentially hand Ekitike and Salah starts.
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