Arne Slot has explained his decision to bench Mohamed Salah for Liverpool's Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt. The Egyptian was one of five players to be left out of the Dutchman's starting XI from the side that lost to Manchester United on Sunday.

Instead, the Reds head coach named recalled Hugo Ekitike in attack as the France international faced his former club, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both retaining their places in attack. Florian Wirtz also came into the starting XI, along with Curtis Jones, Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson.

Slot was was asked about his decision to bench Salah ahead of kick-off. And the Dutchman admitted it was a difficult decision, while he also pointed to the enforced absence of Ryan Gravenberch through injury as one of the motivating factors behind the switch.

"The first answer is always yes, (it was a difficult decision to make)," he admitted to TNT Sports. "But that is also to do with Mo and all the players I have.

"Every time I select a team, it’s always difficult because I have so many good players. That’s also the reason why I use these players.

"I liked the way we...