Liverpool put a stop to their recent slide by securing a much-needed victory against West Ham over the weekend.
This Premier League win at the London Stadium demonstrated that the Reds still have a chance to salvage their season and should serve as a significant confidence boost for both players and coaching staff.
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Arne Slot made a bold decision prior to kickoff by leaving Mohamed Salah out of the starting lineup, opting instead for Dominik Szoboszlai on the right side of midfield.
This tactical adjustment allowed Florian Wirtz to return to his position at No. 10, giving Szoboszlai an opportunity to showcase his adaptability.
Szoboszlai Steps Up, Salah Sits Out
Liverpool appeared strong on the right flank with a new partnership between Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez.
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There’s no denying that the Premier League champions have shown vulnerability on the right side with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong as right-backs and Salah ahead of them. The Egyptian winger has faced scrutiny for his perceived lack of defensive effort. In contrast, Szoboszlai’s more defensively-minded approach proved effective against the Hammers.
With a challenging match against high-flying Sunderland coming up at Anfield on Wednesday night, Slot is advised to maintain his current strategy.
Slot Should Keep Salah on the Bench
Instead of reintegrating Salah into the starting XI, the Dutch manager should continue with Szoboszlai, according to Liverpool legend Steve Nicol, who warns that bringing back the four-goal forward would be a MISTAKE.
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“To solidify the defense, they need a strong foundation,” Nicol stated on ESPN FC. “Salah tends to disrupt that structure. Szoboszlai was essential for their defensive solidity.”
Salah’s Upcoming Absence
“Unlike how Mo does by staying wide, Szoboszlai gets involved defensively, helping his full-back. The overall defensive shape was significantly better. If they revert to their previous setup, it could lead to teams exploiting them again,” Nicol continued.
“While they performed well against West Ham, they need to maintain that solid structure. Bringing Salah back against Sunderland could prove detrimental.”
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With Salah soon departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, now might be the perfect opportunity for the team to adapt to playing without him starting with the match on Wednesday night.