Arne Slot explains his decision to substitute Mohamed Salah early in the second-half during win over RB Leipzig… despite Egyptian getting assist for Darwin Nunez’s goal

Arne Slot has revealed the reason as to why Mohamed Salah was substituted early on in the second-half during Liverpool‘s 1-0 win over RB Leipzig.

Despite getting the assist for Darwin Nunez‘s strike in the first-half, the Egyptian had a relatively quiet evening at the Red Bull Arena.

He was then taken off in the 63rd minute with some Liverpool fans wondering whether Slot was unhappy with the winger’s performance.

However, after the game, the Dutchman explained that Salah was taken off as a precaution given their blockbuster clash with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking on Salah’s substitution, Slot said: ‘It is a tough fixture list. Curtis Jones was the same, he hasn’t played 90 minutes yet. 

Slot explained that Salah was taken off as a precaution given their clash with Arsenal

‘We have some injuries now so I have to take care of the players. Sunday is a big game coming up and I need to use as many players as I can for these tough months.’

Liverpool and Arsenal are separated by just four points in the Premier League table and Slot’s side will know that a win over the Gunners could provide value confidence in the race for the title. 

Reflecting on the game as a whole, Slot continued: ‘I don’t think we started the game very well but after the first 15 minutes I liked a lot of what I saw. 

‘We played through their press and opened up attacks many times, which led to the first goal and many other chances.

‘It is a pity at the end of a game like that when you need big roles from your two centre-backs and goalkeeper. A game like that should have been ours after 60-70 minutes’.

The Reds maintained their unbeaten start to the Champions League by beating Leipzig

Uruguayan striker Nunez scored the only goal of the evening and just his second of the season, having struggled to find the back of the net for the Reds recently. 

‘It is good to see all of our players scoring,’ Slot said. ‘In the lead up Cody and Mo were just as important as Darwin. 

‘But Darwin was strong, comfortable on the ball, fighting if he had to defend, and he made it very difficult for the two centre-backs of Leipzig’.