Arne Slot told Sky Sports that Mohamed Salah was left out due to Liverpool’s intense schedule, with four matches in ten days forcing him to rotate heavily. He stressed that the bench included more than just Salah and noted he has previously rested players like Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike as well. Slot admitted the decision was difficult, but the congested fixture list required a different starting lineup.
Before facing West Ham, Slot reshaped Liverpool’s right flank: Joe Gomez returned at right-back, Dominik Szoboszlai moved to the right wing, Alexander Isak started up front, and Florian Wirtz played as the No. 10. As a result, Salah and Hugo Ekitike began on the bench. Liverpool ended a historically poor run—nine defeats in twelve games, including heavy losses to PSV and Nottingham Forest—by winning 2–0 thanks to Isak’s first Premier League goal and a late finish from Cody Gakpo.
Salah, last season’s title winner who recently signed a major new contract, has produced only four goals and two assists so far. He is also set to miss matches for the Africa Cup of Nations from December 21 to January 18. Although early release has been discussed, clubs prefer to keep him until FIFA’s mandated release date.
