Mohamed Salah’s role as a substitute at Liverpool is currently a much discussed topic in England. The experienced Egyptian has been dropped from the starting line up for two games in a row, but he still has an influential role at the Reds.
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Mohamed Salah has been one of the defining figures of Liverpool’s modern era. Since arriving ahead of the 2017/18 season, he has been the main reference point in attack, a guarantee of goals and a symbol of consistency.
That is why his recent spell out of the starting line up has attracted so much attention in England. In Liverpool’s 2-0 win away at West Ham United he did not play a single minute, and in the midweek 1-1 draw at Anfield against Sunderland he only came on at half time, replacing Cody Gakpo. For a player of Salah’s status, that is a major storyline, and it has naturally become one of the central talking points around Arne Slot’s team.
Slot fully understands the noise around the situation. Speaking at his press conference before Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture against Leeds United, he made it clear that Salah has earned the right to have every decision about him scrutinised. In his view, a player who has been so influential across six or seven seasons, delivering goals, assists and big moments, will always be in the spotlight when he is not starting. For the Dutch manager, this reaction from fans and media is not only normal, it is a reflection of Salah’s enormous importance to the club.
At the same time, Slot was keen to stress that being left out of the starting eleven does not mean Salah has suddenly been forgotten or downgraded. He pointed out that in his mind every player in the squad is a potential starter in any given game, depending on fitness, tactical needs and form. Salah, in particular, is described by Slot as an exceptional player for Liverpool, someone who is always part of his thinking whether he begins on the pitch or is used from the bench. With the Africa Cup of Nations coming up at the end of the month, where Salah will join Egypt, Slot also has to manage his minutes carefully, balancing Liverpool’s short term needs with the physical demands that await the forward on international duty.
The broader context is that Liverpool are under pressure to climb back into the Premier League’s top four. The draw against Sunderland was seen as a missed opportunity, especially at home, and the team knows it cannot afford many more slip ups if it wants to return to the Champions League places. Slot has openly admitted that the current league position is not satisfactory. He has also highlighted how much stronger the Premier League has become season after season, pointing to the financial power of almost every club in the division. In such an environment, consistency is vital, and that is why the next match takes on added significance. It is also why fans who follow odds and markets on platforms such as asian bookies pay close attention to every piece of team news and tactical hint before kick off.
On Saturday 6 December 2025 Liverpool travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United, with kick off scheduled for 18:30 local time. It is exactly the kind of high intensity away game that can shape narratives around the team and around individual players. Leeds, backed by a passionate crowd, are unlikely to sit back, and that opens up a fascinating tactical battle. For Liverpool, it is an opportunity to respond immediately to the Sunderland setback, to show that the dropped points were a temporary stumble rather than the start of a negative run.
One of the major selection questions for that match revolves around Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward has become a key figure under Slot, often operating in the left channel, drifting inside to link play and arrive in the box. Some English media outlets have suggested recently that Gakpo does not face sufficient competition for his place, which might allow dips in performance levels to go unpunished. Slot strongly rejected that narrative. In his view, the idea that Gakpo is too comfortable is simply not accurate.
The Liverpool manager explained that footballers need rhythm and continuity to reach their best level. Players who feature regularly tend to gain consistency and confidence. When he speaks to those who do not play much, they almost always say that what they need most is minutes on the pitch to feel sharp and self assured. Slot also pointed out that his options on the left are far from limited. He has yet to try Hugo Ekitike in that role, largely because of the situation with Alexander Isak in the squad structure and how he wants to balance his attacking resources. Youngster Rio Ngumoha has already had some minutes, despite being only seventeen, and is seen as one of the talents who can grow into a bigger role over time. With Salah also capable of drifting into those zones when used from the right or centrally, Slot is convinced that Gakpo is not lacking competition in any way. In his words, there are plenty of players who can operate in that part of the pitch.
For Leeds, the main challenge will be dealing with a Liverpool side that is likely to be aggressive from the first whistle. After a frustrating draw, it is common for a top side to come out with extra intensity in the next game, seeking an early goal to settle nerves and reassert their dominance. Slot’s teams are known for their structured pressing and quick transitions, and Elland Road could see Liverpool pushing high up the pitch to disrupt Leeds’ attempts to build from the back. In possession, much will depend on how effectively Liverpool can connect midfield and attack, creating favourable situations for Gakpo, Salah if he features, and the central striker.
Defensively, there is at least one boost for Liverpool. Conor Bradley is back available at right back after recovering from injury, giving Slot another option in a position that demands both defensive solidity and attacking contribution in his system. Bradley’s energy and willingness to get forward can help pin back Leeds’ wingers and provide width when Liverpool are trying to overload the flanks. Joe Gomez, however, remains a doubt, which could influence how much tactical flexibility Slot has at the back, especially if he wants to switch between a more traditional back four and a shape that allows one full back to invert into midfield.
From a psychological point of view, the situation around Salah can also serve as a test of the dressing room’s unity. Big players sometimes react in different ways when they are rotated or temporarily benched. In Salah’s case, his history at Liverpool suggests a strong mentality and an ability to respond on the pitch. If he starts against Leeds, the narrative may quickly switch to whether he can deliver a decisive performance and remind everyone of his quality. If he begins on the bench again, all eyes will be on how Slot uses him and whether his introduction changes the rhythm of the game.
For Gakpo, the Premier League clash with Leeds is another chance to show why he has earned Slot’s trust. Playing under a manager from the same country who knows his qualities from close range can be an advantage, but it also brings extra expectations. The forward will be under pressure to combine work rate without the ball with creativity and end product in attack. Against a Leeds side that usually plays with high intensity, his ability to hold his nerve in key moments and take chances could be decisive.
All of this builds towards a compelling evening at Elland Road. On one side, a Leeds United team eager to claim a big home result. On the other, a Liverpool side driven by the need to climb the table, navigating the delicate balance between respecting a legend like Salah and making cold, tactical decisions for the good of the team. With kick off at 18:30, the match promises to reveal a lot about where Liverpool stand both in the race for the top four and in the internal hierarchies of their attacking options.
