Liverpool Benches Star Duo Salah and Ekitike in Shocking Tottenham Lineup Decision
Arne Slot has sparked controversy with Mohamed Salah by benching Liverpool's struggling attacker for Sunday afternoon's clash against Tottenham Hotspur. Top scorer Hugo Ekitiké and regular center-back Ibrahima Konaté were also relegated to the substitutes' bench as part of five alterations following the Champions League loss to Galatasaray.
Salah openly clashed with Slot in December after being benched for three consecutive matches. The club's consistent leading goalscorer felt he had been "thrown under the bus" and stated: "I shouldn't have to battle daily for my place because I've earned it."
Slot was eventually compelled to exclude Salah completely from the squad for a Champions League fixture against Inter Milan before diplomatic discussions led to his return to the team. Following his comeback from the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, Salah had featured in all 12 of Liverpool's fixtures. Until Sunday.
Liverpool's Confirmed XI vs. Tottenham
Liverpool's Confirmed XI vs. Tottenham
Starting XI (4-2-3-1: Alisson; Dominik Szoboszlai, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha; Cody Gakpo.
Arne Slot Addresses Public Criticism
Arne Slot Addresses Public Criticism
Rio Ngumoha. The youngster is exceptional. pic.twitter.com/VpBAd7bWRy
After an early period of inventiveness, Salah's offensive contributions have diminished lately. The 33-year-old experienced one of his poorest displays of the campaign against Galatasaray as Liverpool's entire right side struggled in Istanbul.
Throughout his 60 minutes of play, Salah managed only one touch within Gala's penalty area and failed to register a single attempt. The current Premier League Golden Boot winner also went scoreless against Nottingham Forest last month, battling alongside his Liverpool colleagues to establish any consistent attacking flow.
Slot's persistence in supporting Salah attracted mounting criticism primarily because there was such a clear alternative available: Rio Ngumoha. While Ekitiké lacks an obvious center-forward substitute with Alexander Isak absent and Konaté has been rested for the injury-prone Joe Gomez, Salah's position has been given to one of the few highlights in an otherwise disappointing Liverpool season.
Ngumoha's dynamic attacking approach has impressed since his lively substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest in February. Over the following three weeks, Liverpool icons like Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard have enthusiastically advocated for the 17-year-old to join the starting lineup.
Cautious about overwhelming the teenage talent, Slot has been conservative with his playing time. However, circumstances demanded action and Ngumoha received a start against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup last Friday. The former Chelsea academy product observed the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray from the sidelines before earning his first Premier League start of his professional career.
Slot had indicated this development was coming. In his preview of Tottenham's visit, he mentioned: "Rio is a player who could begin for us. He's been participating for extended periods. He's certainly a candidate to start one of the three matches in the upcoming week."
He later informed Sky Sports in his pre-match interview: "Why now? He began training this season and he's progressing, his playing time has increased and the next phase is starting."
Liverpool's Formation Without a Traditional Striker
Liverpool's Formation Without a Traditional Striker
It seems the only player Slot is prepared to utilize for every minute of every match throughout the season is Virgil van Dijk. How effective this strategy has been remains highly questionable—and the consequences of this demanding schedule (plus this summer's World Cup) will become apparent next season.
Nevertheless, Ekitiké is not immune to bench duty. Liverpool's sole senior striker with Isak unavailable has pushed Slot toward innovative alternatives when he's not available.
The Dutch manager has tested Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai in false nine positions this season. All three were included in the starting eleven against Spurs to create a flexible front four alongside Ngumoha while providing Ekitiké with essential rest.
Liverpool return to competition against Galatasaray on Wednesday before visiting Brighton in the Premier League just three days afterward.