Manager’s bold decision for Liverpool clash
Arne Slot has opened up on his decision to bench Mohamed Salah for today’s Premier League clash against West Ham at the London Stadium, reports BritPanorama.
Salah’s form has nosedived this term, with the 33-year-old scoring just four Premier League goals from 12 outings. He was particularly poor in midweek as the Reds lost 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on yet another difficult night.
For today’s match against West Ham, Slot has opted to take Salah out of his starting XI, with Florian Wirtz replacing him. This decision marks a significant shift for a manager whose side has struggled this season, currently languishing with nine losses in their last 12 games across all competitions.
Slot explained to Sky Sports that he is ready to rotate his squad, stating, “We have more players on the bench than just Mo, but I understand why you ask the question. We’re playing four games in 10 days. I have many good players, so today I chose this line-up.” He further mentioned that decisions like this are not new, as he has previously made similar choices with other key players.
Liverpool has still gone strong for today’s match despite Salah’s absence, with Alisson Becker starting in goal and a back four featuring Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai all make the starting line-up.
Pressure has been mounting on Slot amid Liverpool’s dire form this term. However, he insisted he retains the backing of sporting director Richard Hughes, having engaged in regular conversations throughout the campaign. “I’m not sure if I said last night, but we fight on try to improve. The conversations have been the same as for the past one and a half years,” he said.
While Slot maintains his focus on improvement, he also acknowledged the inconsistencies that have plagued the team. “I do agree with you that our standards have not been up to the standards that we’re used to and we want,” he confessed, underscoring a commitment to collective responsibility over singling out players.
The stakes remain high for Liverpool. As they head into this crucial fixture, Slot’s tactical decisions will be scrutinised not only for their immediate impact but also for their long-term implications in a season that has yet to find its footing.
