Slot was right to leave Salah out

Salah has been lackluster since the start of the 2025/26 season.

It was not until Germany - where he rose to the ranks of Europe's brightest young stars - that Liverpool fans saw Florian Wirtz truly shine.

Wirtz shines

In the 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the League Phase of the Champions League on the morning of October 23, ending the reigning English champions' four-game losing streak, Wirtz became the center of attention, not only because of his two assists in four minutes, but also because of the position he played: right wing - a place that for nearly a decade has been Mohamed Salah's domain.

Wirtz had a shaky start to the game, losing the ball to Frankfurt for the opening goal. But instead of collapsing, the 22-year-old showed the qualities of a true star. The more he played, the more he thrived. Wirtz moved intelligently, moving into the middle to control the tempo, then suddenly accelerating to break down the opponent's defense.

In the 66th minute, the former Bayer Leverkusen star assisted Gakpo to make it 4-1, and just four minutes later, he set up Dominic Szoboszlai to seal the 5-1 victory. Two precise passes, two touches of the ball showed the confidence and inspiration that people have been waiting for since the day he joined Liverpool for 136 million euros.

The British media unanimously praised Wirtz. Liverpool Echo rated the German player 9/10, calling it “a performance that greatly influenced the way Liverpool controlled the game”. The Athletic even said that coach Arne Slot was right to leave Salah out: “The flexible system with Wirtz on the right wing helps Liverpool’s attack flourish, become more flexible and unpredictable”. Indeed, when Salah - who is 33 years old - temporarily left the starting lineup, Liverpool seemed to regain vitality.

Wirtz is gradually adapting to Liverpool.

It is no coincidence that Jamie Carragher, the legend of “The Kop”, once called: “It is time for Salah to not need to play every week anymore”. Arne Slot listened, and the results proved him right.

Because in the first 12 games of the season, Salah only scored 3 goals and had 3 assists - poor numbers for a striker who once spread fear across Europe. He has not scored in the Champions League since the opening match against Atlético Madrid, and that series of erratic performances has gradually faded the image of "Pharaoh"

Wirtz, on the other hand, brings the energy that Anfield has been missing. He is not only a statistical powerhouse, he is also an inspiration. With 11 chances created – behind only Kylian Mbappe and Arda Güler – Wirtz is one of the top three players for assists in the Champions League this season.

Liverpool's offensive transition

After the win over Frankfurt, Wirtz modestly said: “I know I can do better. I am pleased that the team had a great second half and that I finally contributed to the goal.” Those are the words of a player who is confident but not complacent – a rare quality in young stars who are praised early.

Arne Slot brushed aside Salah, and soon reaped the rewards.

In Frankfurt, Liverpool did not just win thanks to Wirtz. Konate headed in the opening goal of the comeback and celebrated as if the pressure had been relieved after a series of criticisms.

Ekitike - the former Frankfurt player - also managed to make his mark on his home return, in complete contrast to Isak, the most expensive contract in Premier League history, who continued to fail to score and struggled with a groin injury. But although Ekitike and Konate both had memorable nights, only one name was mentioned over and over again: Florian Wirtz.

The story is no longer about a 5-1 win, but the future of Liverpool's attacking system. While a 22-year-old German is reviving the team with inspiration and creativity, a 33-year-old Egyptian legend is fading into the shadows. Wirtz - Salah: it's not just a battle for position, it's a symbol of a transitional moment at Anfield.

And perhaps the Frankfurt night was the first sign that the throne on the right wing was shaking.

Source: https://znews.vn/slot-da-dung-khi-gat-salah-post1596431.html