Mohamed Salah has been relegated to the bench for Liverpool FC's clash against West Ham United. The winger has been criticised for his muted displays in recent weeks and will begin the game among the substitutes. Alisson Becker also makes a comeback in goal after overcoming an illness, while Florian Wirtz is set to return to the starting line-up for the Reds.

Liverpool will be desperate to beat the Hammers after seeing their Premier League title defence go up in flames. They have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions and Arne Slot has taken drastic action in an attempt to halt the slide. He explained his decision to drop Salah before kick-off at the London Stadium, downplaying the significance of such a call.

"We have more players on the bench than only Mo but I can understand why you ask a question about him," said the Reds manager.

"We play four games in 10 days and I have many good players, so today I chose a different line-up.

"Sometimes Alex (Alexander Isak) and Florian (Wirtz) has been on the bench, so it's always about the players, which I understand, but it's also about the players who start, and that's the XI I chose today."

It comes after Wayne Rooney called for Salah to be dropped by Liverpool, accusing the Egyptian of failing to carry out his defensive duties.

"Salah is not helping them defensively," said Rooney. "If you're one of the players who they've signed and you're sat on the bench and you've seen him not running...

"I get that he's a club legend and everything he's done for the club, but if you're on the bench then what message does it send to you, that your teammate is not running back?

"He's starting every game. If I was Arne Slot, I'd try and make a big decision that has an impact on the rest of the team."

Slot has a host of attacking options on the bench, with Salah joined by Hugo Ekitike, Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha.

Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo are also among the substitutes as Liverpool look to reverse a run that has seen them lose nine of their last 12 matches.