Slot's Bold Call: Salah benched as Liverpool recalibrates for Frankfurt in the Champions League

Why Salah Was benched?

The Dutch coach Arne Slot explained the reasoning behind leaving Mohamed Salah out of Liverpool's starting XI for the pivotal Champions League meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt. Slot indicated the decision was not taken lightly, pointing to a broader tactical shift and the need to adapt his frontline given the opposition and available personnel.

Liverpool head to Frankfurt's stadium for the third group-stage match of the continental competition, with Slot aiming to balance attack and defense while contending with injuries and squad depth. Salah remains a key option, but Slot’s selection underscored the manager’s willingness to reframe the attacking lines as required by the game plan.

In a recent public session, Slot noted that Salah is among a handful of players who can influence matches from the starting XI or the bench. His comments, relayed by TNT Sports, reflected admiration for Salah while underscoring the coach’s obligation to optimize the team as a whole rather than rely on a single talisman.

Isak and Ekitike Together

Slot opted to pair Alexander Isak with Hugo Ekitike in attack, reshaping Liverpool’s forward line for the Frankfurt test. Isak’s international experience and Ekitike’s pace gave the Reds a dynamic duo up front, with Cody Gakpo retaining his place on one flank as the team sought to unlock Frankfurt’s defence from different angles.

In midfield, Slot brought Florian Wirtz into the lineup alongside Curtis Jones and Jeremie Frimpong, with Andy Robertson back at left-back. The setup suggested a willingness to press higher and exploit spaces on the flanks while maintaining a solid spine in the middle of the park.

Season Turned to Disappointment

Last season Salah was among the world’s top performers, finishing the year with a remarkable 57 goal contributions (34 goals and 23 assists) and finishing fourth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The start of 2025-2026, however, saw Salah scoring decisive late goals and contributing in patches, followed by a dip in form that coincided with broader Liverpool upheaval and changes in personnel and system.

Liverpool’s early form was mixed, with a string of results that exposed vulnerabilities in both attack and structure. After the departure of a key right-back, the team faced a period of adjustment, and Slot’s approach has involved experimenting with different midfield shapes and forward combinations to sustain pressure and improve finishing efficiency.

From an analytical standpoint, Salah’s influence has shifted. He remains capable of creating opportunities, but his volume of chances and execution rate have not matched last season’s levels. The accompanying metrics signal a team-wide shift rather than a pure decline in Salah’s personal form, emphasizing changes in build-up, assist probability, and the ways the team creates opportunities for him and his running mates.

The restructuring has also meant reconsidering the supply lines. With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence this season, Salah has faced fewer of the direct, penetrative passes that once paired so effectively with him. Slot’s plan to diversify the passing lanes aims to compensate for that gap, even if it means Salah operates in a slightly different position or role in the short term.

Looking ahead, the challenge for Liverpool is to regain consistency and restore confidence across the squad. The emphasis is less on a single change and more on a holistic upgrade of the team’s dynamics and rhythm, especially against a Frankfurt side known for counter-attacking discipline.

In the broader picture, Salah’s omission was a tactical choice rather than a punishment. Slot stressed the importance of building a system that maximizes the collective potential while preserving Salah’s elite ability to influence crucial moments. The immediate test is whether this reshaped approach translates into improved results and a more cohesive irresistible Liverpool in Europe.

Where is the balance headed? The answer will emerge as Slot’s experiments settle and the team returns to domestic duties with a clearer template and renewed belief.

Two more thoughts on the bench and the build-up

As the weeks unfold, Liverpool fans will be watching whether the Isak–Ekitike axis begins to click and whether the deeper midfield pivot yields more control. Slot’s decisions, while scrutinized, reveal a coach who prioritizes organisation and execution over reliance on a single star—an approach that might just redefine Liverpool’s ceiling this season.

For Salah, the message is simple: the bench is not a punishment but a strategic instrument. The moment he’s back on the field, the balance in the attack could tilt back in Liverpool’s favour—assuming the teammates around him can keep pace and finish the chances that arise.

Two punchlines to wrap up: first, if coaching is a game of chess, Slot just traded a knight for a queen and asked Salah to learn the piano. Second, Salah’s next start could be a reminder that football is a team sport where sometimes the best move is a clever bench—we’ll see if the Reds play a symphony or just tune a little off-key this time around.