Salah Benched for West Ham Clash
In a surprising move, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dropped Mohamed Salah to the bench for today's Premier League match against West Ham United. The decision comes amidst criticism of Salah's recent performances, with the Egyptian star failing to replicate his usual high standards.
Liverpool's recent form has been a cause for concern, with the team struggling to maintain a consistent run of results. They have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions. Slot's decision to bench Salah is seen as a drastic measure to shake up the team and halt their slide down the table.
Slot explained his decision before the match, downplaying the significance of dropping a player of Salah's caliber. He emphasized the need to manage the squad effectively during a congested period with four games in ten days. "We play four games in 10 days and I have many good players, so today I chose a different line-up," Slot stated. He also noted that other key players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have also been benched in the past, highlighting the importance of rotating the squad.
Salah's form this season has been a shadow of his previous performances. He has only managed four goals and two assists in the Premier League thus far, a significant drop compared to his impressive tally of 29 goals and 18 assists last season. This dip in form has coincided with Liverpool's struggles, leading to increased scrutiny on the Egyptian winger.
The decision to bench Salah comes after Wayne Rooney publicly called for the Liverpool manager to drop him, citing his lack of defensive contribution. Rooney argued that Salah's work rate off the ball was not up to par and that benching him could send a message to the rest of the team.
In addition to Salah's omission, Liverpool's starting lineup sees the return of Alisson Becker in goal after recovering from illness. Florian Wirtz also returns to the starting XI, providing a boost to Liverpool's attacking options. Joe Gomez makes his first Premier League start in 11 months, slotting in at right-back. Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch complete the midfield. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo join Wirtz in the attack.
The substitutes include Ekitike, Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha.
Liverpool fans will be eager to see how the team performs without Salah in the starting lineup. The hope is that this tactical tweak will provide the spark needed to reignite their season and secure a vital win against West Ham.
