Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been forced to explain some big selection calls, with Mohamed Salah named among the substitutes again for the Reds’ Premier League clash with Sunderland. The Egyptian superstar failed to make it off the bench in a welcome win over West Ham - ending a run of featuring in every match under Slot. He was involved against Sunderland, but was only introduced at half-time.

Liverpool and Manchester United are two of many teams throughout Europe who are set to benefit after FIFA revealed those involved will be able to play for their clubs for an extra week before jetting off for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo are among the Premier League's top forwards but will leave their sides to represent Egypt and Cameroon respectively when the tournament kicks off in Morocco later this month.

Arne Slot has revealed the date on which Mohamed Salah will join the Egypt squad for AFCON, while admitting that the Liverpool star was "not happy" with his benching at West Ham over the weekend. The Dutchman said that the club, Salah and the Egyptian FA jointly agreed on the final date, following a swirl of rumours that the forward might depart earlier than expected after Egypt arranged a friendly against Nigeria on December 14.

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has launched a blistering attack on Liverpool’s disastrous season, claiming that new arrival Florian Wirtz has been left to suffer because Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and others “want to play with their own ball”. With Liverpool in crisis after spending £450 million ($595m) on summer transfers, Hoeness insists the squad is full of “chiefs and no workers”.

Mohamed Salah has paid the price for his recent poor form and been dropped to the bench by Liverpool boss Arne Slot for the clash with West Ham. And the Reds' boss has explained his reasoning behind the move after making sweeping changes to the side in the wake of the dreadful 4-1 midweek home defeat by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.