In a major team selection shock, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dropped star forward Mohamed Salah for the crucial Premier League encounter against West Ham United on Sunday, 30 November 2025.
Slot's Bold Team Selection
The decision to relegate the Egyptian king to the substitutes' bench comes as Liverpool navigate a dire run of form. The team has suffered nine defeats in their last twelve matches, piling immense pressure on the new manager. Speaking before the match, Slot conceded that he was prepared to "consider everything" in a desperate attempt to reverse his side's alarming slide.
In a positive note for the Reds, first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker returned to the starting line-up after missing the midweek 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven due to illness. Slot also placed his faith in summer signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, naming both players in the first eleven from the outset.
Mounting Pressure at Anfield
This significant omission of Salah is the clearest signal yet of the turmoil at Anfield. With the team's performance levels dipping dramatically, Slot is taking drastic measures to find a winning formula. The choice to bench one of the league's most prolific attackers underscores the severity of the situation the club finds itself in.
All eyes will be on how Liverpool performs without their talisman on the pitch from the start. The result of this match could have significant ramifications for the team's confidence and for Slot's tenure as manager.
What Happens Next?
The focus now shifts to the London Stadium to see if Slot's bold call pays off. Can Liverpool secure a much-needed victory without their main man leading the line? Or will Salah's absence further expose the team's current frailties? The answers will unfold on the pitch as the Reds battle West Ham.