Mohamed Salah has been left out of the starting lineup for Liverpool‘s match against West Ham on Sunday. This decision by coach Arne Slot marks the first time this season he has omitted the standout forward in the Premier League.
Salah’s exclusion comes during a challenging phase for both him and the club, as Liverpool has suffered six losses in their last seven league matches, and Salah has only scored four goals this season.
Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz returns to the squad after missing two matches due to injury, as Slot adjusts his team in hopes of moving the champions back into the top half of the standings.
“We have more players on the bench than just Mo, and I understand your curiosity,” Slot remarked prior to the match. “With four games in 10 days, I have many strong players to choose from, which influenced my lineup today. It’s not just about the players waiting on the sidelines, but also about those who will be taking the field.”
“Making these decisions isn’t easy; I have more than 11 talented players available. This isn’t the first time I’ve opted not to start Mo, similar to my choices regarding [Alexander] Isak, Wirtz, and [Hugo] Ekitike.”