Slot explains why AFCON-bound Salah was unused sub for third time

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come out to explain his decision to bench Egypt forward Mohamed Salah for the third time during their Premier League fixture against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.

Salah watched from the bench as the Reds played out a 3-3 draw with Leeds United. The Reds had taken a two-goal advantage early in the second half thanks to a swift double from forward Hugo Ekitike.

Leeds, however, found a way back into the contest via a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty and goal from Anton Stach. Dominik Szoboszlai put the Reds back ahead in the 80th minute, before a leveller in added time for the hosts by substitute Ao Tanaka saw the points shared.

However, the benching of Salah yet again elicited debate, and speaking after the game, Slot defended his decision saying Liverpool were already leading 2-0 up and they didn’t need Salah to come in.

‘We didn’t need goal at that moment of time’

“We were 2-0 up, [then] we were 3-2 up,” Slot told Sky Sports as quoted by This is Anfield. “I think it was at that moment of time, more about controlling the game. And we didn’t need a goal at that moment of time.

“And normally when you need a goal, like against Sunderland, I brought Mo in. Today, it felt to me that we needed different players like Wata [Endo].

“I brought him (Endo) in many times when we needed to bring a win over the line. And he gave everything, I think, what I could expect from him, and he was also not part in us conceding for 3-3.”

Asked what will happen with Salah with only one game remaining before he heads to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Egypt, Slot responded: “Like I said before the game, we have to accept the situation we are in, and I make my choices based on that.

“And the short-term future of Mo is that he goes in a week’s time to the African Cup of Nations, but before that, we play Inter and Brighton.”

After the Leeds game, Salah delivered a series of extraordinary remarks, published by Sky Sports, openly questioning his treatment and suggesting a complete breakdown in trust.

“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think. (I am) very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over the years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel.

“Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.”

The 33-year-old Egyptian has become a legendary figure at Anfield over the past eight years, scoring 250 goals in all competitions and winning two Premier League titles.