Arne Slot Explains Bold Decision To Bench Salah And Isak In Liverpool’s Crucial Clash Against Galatasaray.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has raised eyebrows after opting to leave both Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak on the bench for their Champions League group stage clash with Galatasaray. The Dutch coach made four changes from the weekend defeat to Crystal Palace, insisting his decisions were guided by squad rotation and long-term management rather than short-term sacrifice.

Alongside Salah and Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley also dropped out of the starting XI. In their places, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, Curtis Jones, and Cody Gakpo were handed opportunities to impress. Perhaps most surprisingly, Frimpong was pushed into an advanced role on the right wing, a position Salah has made his own for years, while Dominik Szoboszlai was deployed at right-back.

Explaining the move before kick-off, Slot highlighted Liverpool’s packed fixture list as the main reason for his changes. “We have many games to play, and in a few days there is another big one coming. To get the best out of this squad, we have to utilise every player—not just from the start, but also from the bench,” he said. Slot even pointed to Salah’s hat-trick against Rangers as proof of the Egyptian’s ability to impact games as a substitute.

The manager further insisted that Liverpool’s depth is a luxury that allows him to make such bold calls. “It’s not about dropping players; it’s about options,” Slot noted. He reminded fans that rotations often give others the platform to prove themselves while also ensuring the team stays fresh across all competitions.

Slot was also cautious about rushing Isak and Mac Allister back into full-throttle action, given their disrupted pre-seasons. Both missed significant amounts of training over the summer, with the manager stressing that it would take time before they could cope with the relentless rhythm of playing every three days. “Normally, top players need less time to adapt, but missing pre-season means we need to be careful,” he explained.

The coach highlighted that Liverpool’s squad has multiple players adjusting to new roles and higher demands. From Milos Kerkez, unaccustomed to playing three matches a week, to Bradley and Mac Allister regaining fitness, Slot made it clear that rotations are not just a tactical preference but a necessity. Isak, in particular, is still being managed through shorter minutes, gradually building up match sharpness.

Ultimately, Slot’s message was one of reassurance. He urged supporters to see his selections as part of a long-term strategy rather than a gamble. By rotating Salah and Isak, he believes Liverpool can remain competitive across the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups, while keeping their star men fresh for the defining moments of the season.