Micah Richards spotted something about Mo Salah that now casts huge doubt after Slot’s shock benching call.
Alan Shearer has backed Micah Richards’ view that Arne Slot made the correct call by leaving Mo Salah out of Liverpool’s starting lineup.
Slot took the big decision to bench the Egyptian forward for Sunday’s trip to West Ham – a move that was ultimately rewarded as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed a 2-0 win at the London Stadium.
Shearer and Richards support Slot’s decision
Richards highlighted that Salah’s lack of defensive work has become a growing issue, particularly now that he’s not providing his usual goal threat.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he said:
“Salah has never really been someone who tracks runners. Last season Slot gave him more freedom to stay high, but the problem now is he’s not scoring as often. If that’s the case, the manager is fully entitled to take him out. Away from home, he probably felt he needed more stability.”
Alan Shearer echoed those thoughts:
“He hasn’t been playing well and he hasn’t been scoring. When that happens, the manager is absolutely within his rights to drop you. And when he does, the team has to get a result – which they did.”
Was Slot right to leave Salah out?
It’s difficult to argue that Liverpool suffered without Salah, at least based on the version of him we’ve seen this season. Slot’s side controlled the game from start to finish:
Liverpool vs West Ham stats
xG: 1.24 vs 0.29
Shots on target: 5 vs 0
Big chances created: 3 vs 0
Florian Wirtz had the freedom to be the team’s main creative outlet, and Liverpool looked functional—and effective—without their superstar winger. With results going badly in recent weeks, getting three points should be the priority, regardless of who sits out.
Is this Salah’s worst Liverpool start?
While Liverpool’s dreadful form hasn’t helped him, this season has been one of Salah’s least productive starts:
Season Goal contributions (after 12 PL games) Minutes per contribution
2025/26 6 179.16
2024/25 16 66
2023/24 14 74.78
2022/23 7 151.28
2021/22 18 60
2020/21 13 80.61
2019/20 9 115
2018/19 9 114.88
2017/18 12 77.75
Not only has Salah been isolated on the right flank, but his overall influence has dropped compared to players like Dominik Szoboszlai.
Slot preparing for life without Salah during AFCON
With AFCON starting on December 21, and Liverpool still waiting to learn when Salah must be released, Slot seems to be planning ahead.
There’s already speculation he might leave Salah on the bench again for the upcoming Sunderland match—and after such a controlled performance against West Ham, that wouldn’t be surprising.
The real dilemma comes after AFCON: what happens if Liverpool hit form without him?
Arne Slot could be facing some very difficult decisions in the coming weeks.