benching the Icon: Arne Slot Defends Decision to Snub Mohamed Salah as Liverpool Seeks Resurgence

The sight of Mohamed Salah—a figure synonymous with Liverpool’s success over the past decade—sitting on the bench for the entirety of their crucial victory over West Ham United has sent a clear, yet controversial, message about the tactical priorities of manager Arne Slot. Despite securing a vital 2-1 win at the London Stadium, Slot’s decision to leave the Egyptian superstar as an unused substitute has sparked immediate debate, raising questions about Salah’s form and his future role at the club.

Slot, who is under intense pressure following a catastrophic run of nine losses in 12 matches across all competitions, firmly defended his selection post-match, framing the exclusion as a necessary tactical decision amidst a congested fixture list and a depleted squad.

The Question Mark Over Salah’s Form

Liverpool’s win, secured by goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, allowed the reigning champions to climb to eighth position in the Premier League table, lifting them out of the bottom half for the first time in over a decade at this point in the season. They now sit three points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.

However, the victory was overshadowed by the discussion surrounding Salah. The mercurial winger, who is usually an automatic starter, is enduring a noticeable dip in his prolific standards. Salah has only netted four times in the Premier League this season, which marks the lowest tally he has achieved at this stage in any of his nine seasons with the Merseyside club. This uncharacteristic slump has naturally led to scrutiny during a period defined by the team’s disastrous run of results prior to the West Ham win.

Slot’s Calculated Defense

Facing the media after the final whistle, Arne Slot was prepared to address the inevitable questions regarding his decision to snub the club icon. He framed the situation not as a punishment for poor form, but as a strategic necessity born from squad constraints and tactical necessity.

“Every time I don’t play Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike or Mohamed Salah, it’s about that which is understandable as they are all outstanding players,” Slot began, attempting to contextualize Salah’s benching alongside other star players.

He then immediately reaffirmed his faith in the Egyptian King, signaling that this was a temporary measure, not a permanent demotion. “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.”

The Reds manager then elaborated on the practical constraints facing his staff, highlighting the difficult balance required to manage player fatigue.

“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,” Slot explained.

He offered a specific tactical rationale for the West Ham clash, noting how the opponent’s setup influenced his choices. “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.”

Ultimately, Slot concluded by reiterating the player’s importance: “But Mo has been so important for this club and will be important for this club in the future.”

The Path Forward: Sunderland and Beyond

For Mohamed Salah, the benching is a brutal public snub, a rare occurrence in his Liverpool career. Now, attention immediately turns to Wednesday evening when Liverpool host Sunderland. Salah will be hoping for an immediate recall to the starting XI to reclaim his place and begin restoring his goal tally.

For Arne Slot, the decision to drop his biggest star, even temporarily, is a calculated gamble. It asserts his authority and demonstrates a willingness to prioritize tactical matchup and squad management over star power. Should Liverpool continue to win without Salah, the pressure on the manager will ease, but the scrutiny on Salah’s place will only intensify. Conversely, any dip in performance could lead to questions about Slot’s judgment in benching a player capable of single-handedly winning games.

As Liverpool attempts to climb back into the race for a Champions League spot—now just three points behind Aston Villa—the consistency of their entire squad is paramount. Slot’s message is clear: even legendary players are subject to tactical rotation when the squad is thin and the fixtures are relentless. The coming weeks will determine whether this tough decision proves to be a masterstroke or a misstep in Slot’s bid to revive Liverpool’s season.