The Unthinkable: Could Benching Mohamed Salah Actually Save Liverpool’s Season?

Mohamed Salah, just like some West Ham fans, might not hold the fondest memories of the London Stadium. But while their distaste might stem from the venue’s sterile atmosphere or painful defeats, Salah’s likely comes from specific, jarring moments in his otherwise glittering Liverpool career. Think back to that touchline spat with Jurgen Klopp in May. A clear sign, perhaps, that even the most fruitful partnerships aren’t always based on unwavering camaraderie. Then, fast forward to the recent Premier League match where he spent the entire game planted on the bench, an unused substitute observing the game’s events unfold.

Liverpool’s recent 2-0 victory against West Ham raises a pivotal question: Is this the beginning of the end for Salah’s reign? Manager Arne Slot’s explanation pointed to squad rotation amidst a congested schedule. Perhaps that is the case, but it hints at something bigger, a shift.
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Consider the context. Slot’s decision to bench Salah came when both the player’s form and Liverpool’s overall performance had come under scrutiny. The team had stumbled, losing nine of their previous twelve games. The game coincided with Florian Wirtz’s standout Premier League display and Alexander Isak finally breaking his goal drought after his massive transfer. All of a sudden, the narrative emerges: “Out with the old guard, in with the new generation?”.

Even prior to these marquee signings hitting their stride, Salah’s omission carried weight. Remember how Mauro Junior effortlessly bypassed Salah to set up PSV Eindhoven’s second goal in their dominant 4-1 victory at Anfield? And Marc Cucurella’s admission that Chelsea deliberately targeted Liverpool’s right flank, exposing Salah’s defensive shortcomings? Or the Manchester City game, where he left young Conor Bradley exposed against the relentless Jeremy Doku?

Against West Ham, Slot opted for a more defensively sound right flank: Joe Gomez, typically a center-back, at right-back, and the industrious Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of him. This combination acted as a stark contrast to Salah’s usual approach. This wasn’t an isolated incident. It follows a pattern. Salah has not started three Premier League or Champions League matches this season, all away from home. After games against Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt, one might expect that he will not start against Inter Milan at San Siro.
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The fact that different players have filled his void – Jeremie Frimpong in Turkey, Wirtz in Germany, and Szoboszlai in London – perhaps reveals a flaw in Liverpool’s squad construction. Lacking a true, natural alternative on the right wing, particularly with Slot seemingly viewing Federico Chiesa solely as a substitute, and missing a successor to the versatile Sadio Mane or Luis Diaz. No obvious deputy like Xherdan Shaqiri.

This lack of a direct replacement could lead to Salah regaining his place soon. Yet, considering Liverpool’s struggles on the road, it’s equally plausible that he’ll continue to experience away games from the sidelines. Liverpool hasn’t secured a win on the road with Salah in the starting lineup since his late penalty against Burnley nearly three months ago.

Perhaps an era of dominance is drawing to a close. Salah certainly earned his privileges. His remarkable output last season, with 29 league goals and 18 assists, was undeniably impressive, even if it now appears to be a final peak before a decline.

Last season, after 13 Premier League matches, he boasted 11 goals and seven assists. This season, those numbers have dwindled to just four goals and two assists. Of those goals, only the crucial winner at Turf Moor stands out, with just one other goal occurring before the 89th minute, a fleeting glimpse of the “old Salah” against Aston Villa.

Slot grapples with balancing the squad. He clearly prefers Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai in midfield. He seems to want Cody Gakpo to fill the attacking lineup, likely drawn to his tireless work rate.

This leaves potentially just two spots available for Salah, Wirtz, Isak, and Hugo Ekitike to compete for. In fact, the two £100 million signings have only started twice with the Egyptian, against Atletico Madrid and Crystal Palace. Injuries have played a part, delaying Slot’s decision-making.

The investments made in these newcomers offered a glimpse into Liverpool’s evolving attacking strategy in a post-Salah era. While proclaiming a definitive solution would be premature, especially with Isak only recently finding the net, decision-making could be made with a long-term vision, or at least, with Salah’s recent form in mind. Even at Mane’s peak, he made the Ballon d’Or podium. Still, the sheer weight of goals and assists was an obvious reason why Salah felt like the main man in the forward line.

Yet, Slot, despite initially claiming he wouldn’t make drastic changes, benched Salah. Even if it’s temporary, it signals a potential shift. With Slot’s own future as Liverpool manager under scrutiny, he might be following in the footsteps of his predecessors.

Think of Bill Shankly dismantling his first great team after the 1970 FA Cup defeat to Watford, promptly dropping key players. Bob Paisley, with his unassuming demeanor, ruthlessly transitioned away from his European Cup-winning squad. Klopp facilitated the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia in 2023, refusing to provide them with the assurances they sought regarding their roles in his future plans.

Salah received Slot’s support throughout his contract negotiations. The manager wanted him to stay. Yet, recall Salah’s rare, controversial interview a year ago, where he suggested he was “more out than in”. Now, he might find himself more often out of Slot’s starting eleven.

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Keywords: Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Arne Slot, Premier League, benching Salah, Liverpool form, Salah decline, Liverpool transfers