Liverpool fans across the globe were left stunned on Sunday afternoon when Arne Slot unveiled his lineup to face West Ham. After painful back-to-back defeats to Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and PSV, supporters were expecting a strong response — but none of them imagined Mohamed Salah would begin the match on the bench. For years, the Egyptian star has been a guaranteed starter, the face of Liverpool’s attack, and a near-untouchable presence. Seeing him among the substitutes wasn’t just surprising — it was a moment that made the entire football world pause.
For the first time under Slot, the “Egyptian King” had been dropped. On paper it looked like a simple tactical call, but at Anfield, it felt symbolic. Salah has been elevated to legendary status; benching him is almost considered unimaginable. Yet Slot made the call without hesitation. Salah calmly pulled on his jacket and took his place among the substitutes, though everyone watching knew a calm expression does not always reveal a calm heart.
Strangely, the last time he had sat out a Premier League match from the start was also at the London Stadium — the site of that unforgettable touchline argument with Jürgen Klopp back in April 2024. Cameras captured the heated exchange just before Salah came on, and afterwards he famously warned the press that “there is going to be fire” if he spoke. That 2–2 draw nearly ended Liverpool’s title hopes and left a wound that many fans never fully forgot.
Now, 582 days later, Salah returned to the same bench in the same stadium — but under a different manager. Football has a habit of looping back on itself. This time, though, there were no raised voices, no tense moments, just Salah watching silently, waiting for the moment his number might appear.
Around the 68th minute, Slot made his first substitution. Supporters expected to see Salah’s number illuminated — but instead, Hugo Ekitike replaced Alexander Isak. The substitutes glanced at each other. Fans at home exchanged confused looks. The unspoken question lingered heavily: If not now… when?
The clock kept ticking. Liverpool still held their lead. Then came the next change in the 75th minute — and once again, not Salah. Curtis Jones came on for Florian Wirtz. The bench grew unusually quiet. Cameras searched for Salah’s reaction, but he remained composed, his focus fixed on the pitch.
West Ham continued pushing. When Milos Kerkez went down with cramp, the moment felt inevitable — surely Salah would come on to put the match to bed. But Slot opted for Andy Robertson instead, choosing leadership and defensive solidity over attacking firepower.
At that point, the message was unmistakable. With all three substitutions made, Salah wasn’t going to feature at all. In a stadium of 60,000, it somehow felt silent. One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, a legend who had shaped an entire era, was watching the full match without stepping foot on the pitch. It was such an unusual sight that “rare” didn’t feel adequate. For years, Salah had been a cornerstone; opponents planned entire match-ups around him. And now he had been left unused from start to finish.
Slot’s decision was daring. It wasn’t personal — it was a signal. A declaration that he was building his own Liverpool, one not defined by Klopp or by history. By choosing not to use Salah, Slot showed that no individual outranks the team. Not even one of the club’s most iconic scorers.
When the match ended, Salah rose with the rest of the team and walked off without complaint. No frustration, no headlines. Yet the silence around him spoke volumes. Had he chosen to speak post-match, every microphone would have rushed toward him — but he said nothing. Just like 582 days earlier, he walked through the mixed zone, cameras following him closely. This time, though, there were no words about “fire.”
Liverpool won 2–0 and halted their losing streak. Slot’s substitutions worked. His choices were justified — at least for that day. But fans know this isn’t the end of the story. Football isn’t just about strategy; it’s about emotion, identity, pride, and legacy. Salah’s place in Liverpool’s narrative is too big to be changed by a single benching. The bigger question now hangs over the club: what happens next?
Some supporters think Slot is looking toward the future. Others believe Salah simply needed rest. Some wonder whether contract negotiations are looming. And many fear this could be the first sign of a future without Salah — an idea that feels heartbreaking for those who adore him.
Salah has been the club’s savior in countless moments, a hero in difficult times, a provider of memories and trophies. Whenever the day comes that he is no longer part of Liverpool’s matchday picture, it will be one of the most emotional days in recent club history.
For now, he remains at Anfield — smiling in training, working professionally, doing everything expected of him. But football never stops moving. Slot has already shown he is willing to make tough choices. Eventually, he will be asked to explain his vision for Salah’s role. And eventually, Salah’s true feelings may come to the surface. Sooner or later, a defining moment will arrive.
Some decisions affect games. Some affect seasons. And some reshape a club’s history. Slot’s choice not to use Salah may become one of those defining moments — not only for December 2025, but for Liverpool’s next era.
Liverpool supporters left the stadium celebrating three points but carrying a thousand thoughts. The joy of the win could not completely drown out the quiet, uneasy question settling in every fan’s heart: Was this the start of something new… or the beginning of something ending?
The world will keep watching. Salah will keep working. Slot will keep planning. And every time Liverpool release a team sheet, fans will check for one thing above all:
Is Mohamed Salah starting… or is he on the bench?
Because in this new Liverpool era, one decision has already changed everything — and the story is far from over
