Why Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were dropped for Liverpool vs West Ham clash

Why Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were dropped for Liverpool vs West Ham clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp emphasized the importance of his players “taking their chances” after omitting Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez from the starting lineup for their match against West Ham this afternoon.

Salah, who has only scored two goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, failed to trouble local rivals Everton in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby defeat.

Nunez also missed several chances against Everton, leading both players to be dropped from the lineup for the match against West Ham at the London Stadium.

Speaking before kick-off, Klopp told TNT Sports: “Of course, that’s the only way you can change the situation, by taking your chances, that’s how it is.”

“In this situation, you realize the questions, how can you turn it around? Do this, do that. It’s about these things left and right of us that are not the middle of our focus because we just need to play a football game; it is not that difficult. The boys are brilliant, they are. That’s why we have the amount of points we have.”

Cody Gakpo, who missed the defeat at Everton due to the birth of his first son, comes into the starting XI, with Harvey Elliot also starting after coming off the bench at Goodison Park.

They join Luis Diaz in attack, with the Colombian retaining his place in the side.

Jarrell Quansah, meanwhile, replaces Ibrahima Konate following his difficult night against Dominic Calvert-Lewin on Wednesday.

Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo also come into the side, with Stefan Bajcetic among the substitutes.

Liverpool are close to appointing Arne Slot as their new manager when Jurgen Klopp steps down at the end of the season, with club legend Jamie Carragher warning this week that the incoming boss will have big decisions to make over Nunez’s future.

“You are looking at it now and after two years, I don’t think there is going to be a massive improvement in him,” Carragher said.

“What we have seen in the last two years is what he is. He can cause trouble, he can be erratic with his finishing.”

“I don’t think it is going to be enough to win you the biggest trophies so I think there is a big decision to be made on him in the summer.”

Why Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were dropped for Liverpool vs West Ham clash

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