Liverpool's New Era Begins with Victory Over West Ham
Mohamed Salah has a storied history at the London Stadium, and this match may mark the beginning of a new chapter for Liverpool as they transition towards a future without him, following a 2-0 victory against West Ham.
Head coach Arne Slot made the significant decision to bench the 33-year-old forward for a Premier League match for the first time since April 2024, when he was also on the sidelines against West Ham, a decision initiated by his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
That previous encounter ended with Salah in the headlines after a touchline disagreement with Klopp during a 2-2 draw, where he was waiting to come on as a substitute. Salah famously remarked to reporters, "If I speak, there will be fire."
Slot's choice to bench Salah carries broader implications, not signaling the end of Salah's illustrious career at Anfield, but rather hinting at how the manager's £450 million summer overhaul may evolve in a future without the Egyptian star.
Slot has faced public encouragement, including from former England captain Wayne Rooney, to drop Salah due to a series of underwhelming performances this season.
However, the challenge remains: replacing a world-class talent who ranks third on the club's all-time scoring list, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.
In this match, Slot provided a glimpse of a restructured Liverpool, achieving a much-needed victory after a dismal stretch of nine defeats in twelve matches, including six losses in seven league games.
Adding to Slot's satisfaction, Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal since joining from Newcastle United for a British record £125 million, while £116 million signing Florian Wirtz played a pivotal role in orchestrating the crucial win.
Slot's selections paid off, as Dominik Szoboszlai was relieved of right-back duties—where he was underutilized—to take on a more offensive role on the right flank, with Cody Gakpo on the left and Isak leading the line.
Gakpo contributed significantly, providing the assist for Isak's goal and later scoring a powerful finish in stoppage time to secure the second goal.
Slot also deployed Joe Gomez at right-back, marking his first league start in eleven months. This move not only freed Szoboszlai to perform better but also solidified Liverpool's defense, resulting in a clean sheet after conceding ten goals in their previous three matches.
Meanwhile, Salah, who is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, observed from the bench. Slot emphasized that the forward, who signed a new two-year contract this summer, "will have a very good future at this club because he’s such a special player." However, given his current form, Salah risks being sidelined further.
Alan Shearer commented on BBC Sport, stating, "It was a big call by Slot, but it is perhaps easier given Liverpool's recent results. When things aren't going well, tough decisions must be made, and this was a significant one considering Salah's contributions in the past. However, Salah cannot complain as he hasn’t been performing well, and must accept the decision. It has worked for Liverpool and for Isak, who was the difference today."
Nevertheless, Salah should not be underestimated. He had started 53 consecutive Premier League matches prior to this game, often appearing to be on a one-man mission to secure the title for Liverpool last season, which they ultimately achieved.
Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, Salah has made 419 appearances, starting 383 matches and scoring 250 goals. He has played 300 league matches, with 288 starts, netting 188 goals and boasting a win percentage of 64%.
In total, Liverpool has won 263 matches with Salah on the pitch, achieving a win ratio of 63%. This is a talent that cannot be overlooked; however, Slot must also consider Liverpool's future beyond Salah, and the victory against West Ham provided some insights.
It will be interesting to see whether Slot reinstates him for the upcoming match against Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday.
Isak's goal—a half-volley that ended a 310-minute league drought—will undoubtedly boost his confidence, having only scored against Southampton in the Carabao Cup back in September. Meanwhile, Wirtz demonstrated his potential with intelligent play during his time on the field.
"I’ve been waiting for this goal and chasing it; sometimes it takes longer than expected, but I’m happy to have scored and contributed to the win," Isak told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day. "As a striker, you need momentum, and while these patches can be challenging, I hope this helps me build good form. We defended well and scored twice, so it’s a happy day."
For Liverpool and Slot, this victory was crucial—only their second in the league since defeating Everton 2-1 on September 20. Achieving this win with his high-profile summer signings performing better provides an additional boost as the pressure surrounding the Dutchman eases.