Arne Slot explained why Mohamed Salah remained on the bench
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been forced to explain some big selection calls, with Mohamed Salah named among the substitutes again for the Reds’ Premier League clash with Sunderland. The Egyptian superstar failed to make it off the bench in a welcome win over West Ham - ending a run of featuring in every match under Slot. He was involved against Sunderland, but was only introduced at half-time.
Salah, who has netted 250 goals for the Reds through 420 appearances, failed to inspire Liverpool as they dropped more precious points in a 1-1 draw with the Black Cats. He is unaccustomed to filling an impact role, having become a talismanic presence at Anfield. The 33-year-old is, however, having to make peace with rest and rotation in 2025-26, with bench duty being seen in domestic and Champions League competition. Slot has mixed things up in a bid to rediscover the kind of consistency that brought another top-flight title to Merseyside last season.
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Why Salah was benched by Slot against Sunderland?
Explaining the decision not to include Salah in his starting XI against Sunderland, Slot told Sky Sports: "I play the same team, it's a balance between continuity and freshness. It's obvious and clear we need the full squad tonight because a few who start aren't able to play a full 90 again. More than ever, we need more than 11 players tonight. All the players have a chance to come in, Mo is definitely one of them. It's a good thing we have players like Mo available on the bench. “We haven't had a long conversation. We spoke a lot after the Frankfurt game, and now not as much. He reacts like you want, a top professional. He trains really good and is positive towards his team-mates. He's an example when he plays, and now he's an example of how to act when you don't play."
