Why Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez aren't starting for Liverpool as Jürgen Klopp makes comment

Jürgen Klopp has dropped Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez from the Liverpool starting lineup in a tactical decision for the game against West Ham at the London Stadium.

The forward duo were notable absences from the starting XI after struggling for form in recent weeks. Instead, Cody Gakpo returned to the lineup alongside Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott in a revamped attack.

Speaking to TNT Sports before the game, Klopp did not directly explain his decisions. However, there was no suggestion of any injuries and he made a telling comment about the need for his team to take their chances - something Salah and Núñez failed to do at Goodison Park in midweek.

"Of course, that's the only way you can change the situation, by taking your chances, that's how it is," Klopp declared.

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After Liverpool's loss to Everton on Wednesday, a game in which Salah and Núñez both missed big opportunities in front of goal, ex-Reds defender Jamie Carragher raised question marks over the futures of both players. He declared Salah he has been "way off it" in recent weeks.

"There is a real discussion for the new manager about what the future holds for Mo Salah – it's the first time we've asked that question. He only has a year to go on his contract,” Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.

"He's looked a shadow of himself for a lot of this season but especially since he's come back from injury. He is Liverpool's legend, superstar, one of the all-time greats. But he's been so far off it."

Klopp recently defended Salah amid questions over his former after Liverpool was knocked out of the Europa League against Atalanta. He declared: “I am not particularly concerned.

“That’s what strikers do, that’s what happens to strikers, that’s how it is. We have to go through this, he has to go through that. He is one of the most experienced players we have in the squad. We will go through that but that’s pretty much all.

“It’s not that Mo [Salah] didn’t miss chances before in his life, that’s a part of the game. The penalty was super-convincing, a super penalty, then the next chance, that was obviously unlucky but it is not the first time he missed a chance like that.”