The London Stadium, scene of Jürgen Klopp’s infamous touchline spat with Mohamed Salah in 2021, became a symbolic turning point on November 30, 2025, as Arne Slot benched the Egyptian King for Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United. This marked Slot’s first PL non-injury omission of Salah since April 2024—also vs West Ham—signaling a potential shift in a squad where the 33-year-old’s 250-goal legacy (third all-time behind Rush/Hunt) has defined a generation. With Salah’s two-year extension (to 2027) under scrutiny amid a form dip (3 goals in 12 apps), Slot’s call sparked debate: Tactical rotation or the first step toward Liverpool’s life without Salah? The Reds’ win—boosted by £450m summer signings Alexander Isak (£125m) and Florian Wirtz (£116m)—hinted at a blueprint where depth trumps dependence, but the future remains fluid.
Key Match Context
- Scoreline: West Ham 0-2 Liverpool (HT 0-1)
- Liverpool Goals: Isak (29′), Gakpo (90+4′)
- Salah’s Bench Role: First PL non-injury omission since April 2024 vs West Ham
- Attendance: 62,478 (London Stadium sell-out)
- Possession: Liverpool 58%—xG 1.8 vs West Ham 0.6
- Man of the Match: Alexander Isak—goal, 8.7 rating
- Liverpool Form: 2nd win in 7 PL games; 11th (21 pts)
- Salah Stats 2025/26: 3 goals/12 apps (down from 25 in 2024/25)
Isak’s snap half-volley ended a 310-minute drought, while Gakpo’s late curler sealed it—Salah watched from the sidelines.
Slot’s Bold Call: Bench Salah Amid Form Dip
Slot: “Big decision—results ease it. Salah hasn’t played well; accept.”
Salah: Pensive on bench—subbed on 60′, no impact. 2025/26: 3 goals/12 apps (vs 25 last season).
Summer extension: 2 years to 2027—£350k/week.
Rooney (BBC): “Big call—easier with results. Salah can’t complain—poor form.”
Shearer: “First time since April 2024—West Ham again. Momentum chase.”
Slot: “Special player—very good future here. But when not well, big decisions.”
Salah legacy: 419 apps, 250 goals—63% win ratio. Third all-time (Rush 346, Hunt 245).
The New Guard Shines: Isak and Wirtz Hint at Post-Salah Path
Isak (£125m Newcastle): First PL goal—half-volley (29′, Szoboszlai cross). “Waiting—chasing. Happy help win.”
Wirtz (£116m Leverkusen): Strings pulled—assist Gakpo (90+4′). Bundesliga maestro: 11 goals/12 assists 2024/25.
Gakpo left: 2 goals—dynamic.
Szoboszlai right attack: Unleashed—key pass.
Slot: “Isak difference—Wirtz roving commission. Blueprint for beyond Salah.”
Kerkez (£35m Bournemouth): Left-back adapting—solid debut.
Ekitike (£80m PSG): Peripheral—summer £450m scrutiny.
The Bigger Debate: Salah’s Future and Slot’s Vision
2025/26: 11th PL (21 pts, 8 behind Arsenal)—9 losses/12 games (worst 71 years).
Anfield: 7 goals conceded 5 days—worst since 1953.
Slot: “Started well 30 mins—conceded, no create. Responsibility mine.”
Sexton (Anfield Wrap): “Sacking club? No—but untenable coming. Gutted if goes—last season joy.”
Carragher (CBS): “No knee-jerk—stability. But tough—every player improve.”
Gerrard (TNT): “Find answers—stability. Can’t go on.”
Fans: Sean “ripped Klopp’s team—clueless”; Mark “Christmas deadline”; Graham “stunned—relegation?”; Jan “woeful—no plan”; Paul “buck Slot—change now”; Chris “decade destroyed—soul gone”; Colin “possession fails—poor defense.”
Slot: “Safe—support above. Questions normal—turn around.”
West Ham win: 2nd in 7 PL—Sunderland/Leeds next (winnable).
Verdict: Slot’s Gamble – Post-Salah Glimpse or Last Chance?
Liverpool 2-0 West Ham: Salah benched—Isak/Wirtz shine, hinting life beyond icon.
Slot’s call: Form dip justifies—£450m depth tested.
11th PL: Worst 71 years—answers urgent.
Anfield roar: Faded—Slot’s revival? Christmas deadline looms.
