6 days ago
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Mohamed Salah will sense he has something to prove following his benching for a Premier League fixture for the first time in over 12 months. The Liverpool talisman was compelled to observe from the sidelines as the Reds secured a vital 2-0 triumph against West Ham United.
This marked the first occasion that Arne Slot omitted Salah from a league starting XI, and the legendary attacker had delivered a heated reaction when he was previously relegated to the bench in Premier League action more than a year prior.
In April 2024, Jurgen Klopp opted to rest Salah following a comparable spell of underwhelming displays by his elevated standards, remarkably also during an away encounter at West Ham.
In contrast to the weekend's events, Klopp elected to introduce Salah as a replacement. Nevertheless, whilst he prepared for his entrance, West Ham found the equaliser to level proceedings at 2-2, which promptly sparked a heated exchange between the winger and his manager.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez intervened to separate Salah from Klopp, though the confrontation was captured on film. Regrettably for the Reds, it failed to produce a decisive turning point, with Klopp's team obliged to accept a draw, which further undermined their championship aspirations.
When questioned regarding the confrontation, Klopp downplayed their disagreement: "No [I can't say what was said], but we spoke about it already in the dressing room. For me, it's done."
Nevertheless, Salah's remarks indicated the matter had not been completely settled. As he strolled past journalists in the mixed zone, Salah declared: "If I speak, there will be fire."
These remarks highlighted that Salah wasn't prepared to relinquish his status as Liverpool's top performer, and Slot will be hoping his choice to drop him might spark a comparable reaction.
The confrontation with Klopp occurred the day following Slot's appointment as the manager's replacement. Salah certainly validated his importance under the new gaffer last campaign, netting 29 goals in 38 league appearances to propel Liverpool to their second Premier League crown.
Nevertheless, Salah has struggled to drag Liverpool from their current downturn. Slot's squad had suffered nine defeats in their previous 12 matches before their victory against West Ham, with Salah managing just two goals throughout that period.
Salah has yet to comment on being dropped by Slot, though the move could supply the additional motivation needed to prompt a revival in form. Liverpool will be hoping their talisman can drive them up the standings before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.
The Reds begin December sitting eighth, nine points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Slot has maintained his choice to omit Salah was about rotating his squad given a packed fixture list. "We have more players on the bench than just Mo, but I understand why you ask the question," he told Sky Sports.
"We're playing four games in 10 days. I have many good players, so today I chose this line-up. Sometimes [Alexander] Isak has been on the bench, sometimes [Florian] Wirtz, so I understand why it's about the players on the bench, but it's also about those that start.
"It's not an easy decision as I have many more than 11 good players – it's not the first time I haven't played Mo, just like I've decided not to play Isak, Wirtz and [Hugo] Etikite."
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