Jamie Carragher makes feelings clear on Arne Slot’s treatment of Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah was dropped to the bench for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday evening, with Arne Slot opting to start Hugo Ekitike on the right wing instead

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was absolutely right to drop Mohamed Salah for the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt. The ‘Egyptian King’ found himself on the bench on Wednesday evening, with Slot opting to start Hugo Ekitike on the right wing instead.

Salah has so far this season struggled to hit his usual heights, netting just three goals and providing three assists in 12 appearances across all competitions. Consequently, supporters and pundits around the globe have begun questioning whether it’s time to give the 33-year-old a breather.

And that is precisely what Slot opted to do as the Reds travelled to Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday night for their Champions League encounter against Frankfurt, deploying a front three of Ekitike, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak.

Prior to kick-off, when asked about Slot’s decision to relegate Salah – typically a crucial component of his team – to the substitutes’ bench, Carragher appeared satisfied with the call.

He told CBS Sports: “It remains to be seen on the game, but I just think when Mo Salah isn’t being ‘the legendary Mo Salah’, he gets treated like one of the other players, which is right.

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“And you don’t forget his age as well. He’s 33 years of age, Liverpool will have three games in six days.

“So at the moment, if he’s not at his absolute best, he shouldn’t play six games in three days because there’s other options there as well. We know Liverpool have spent a lot of money. Liverpool have got a big game as well on Saturday (against Brentford), so great decision, Arne.”

The tactical switch ultimately paid dividends for Liverpool, who secured a commanding 5-1 victory in Germany. Rasmus Kristensen broke the deadlock for the hosts after 26 minutes, but it didn’t take Ekitike long to return to torment his previous employers, levelling proceedings nine minutes afterwards.

From that point onwards, the metaphorical floodgates appeared to burst open for the visitors, as Virgil van Dijk handed Liverpool the advantage six minutes before the interval. Ibrahima Konate also succeeded in finding the back of the net as the opening period drew to a conclusion.

The second period proved equally thrilling, with Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai both registering strikes to wrap up a resounding 5-1 triumph beneath the floodlights.

While Salah entered the contest in the 74th minute, he struggled to leave his mark on proceedings, which had already been decided by the time he stepped onto the pitch.

The victory enabled Liverpool to bring an end to a four-match losing run in spectacular style, considering they entered the encounter following successive defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Manchester United. The Gunners will now shift their focus to the Premier League, as they prepare to take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening.

The reigning champions are currently in third place in the league table, trailing Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal by four points, and will be looking to close the gap and gain momentum this weekend.

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