Liverpool manager Arne Slot commended forward Mohamed Salah for his professionalism after being omitted from the first eleven.
The move was made amid a poor run of nine unsuccessful results in 12 games across all competitions.
It represented the initial occasion Salah had been left out of a top-flight starting XI since April 2024, under Slot's preceding manager, Jurgen Klopp.
Salah, who represents Egypt, last campaign's top scorer, has managed only a quartet of strikes in the top flight this season.
Slot acknowledged it was a "reasonable conclusion" that Salah was disappointed about not getting onto the pitch at the West Ham ground.
"This is a understandable feeling from a player with his quality to play for us, and I say that mildly because he has been exceptionally brilliant for this club for such a long time and will continue to be for the future," the manager stated.
"He wasn't alone who was disappointed that he didn't begin the game and which is standard."
Slot noted that Salah "responded in a mature manner" despite being dropped.
"He maintains incredible discipline - he knows the routine required to stay fit," Slot continued.
"Irrespective of he has a good game or a bad one, if he starts or is a substitute, he will consistently remain that model professional and that's exactly how he acted in the recent period.
"For every footballer around the world, there are also stages in your time at a club where they show humanity. He's scored so many goals for us and I am sure he will in the future."
Afcon Commitment Looms
Slot confirmed that Liverpool will be lacking Salah's services from 15 December, when he heads off to the continental championship.
"We have to figure out how to play without him because he will be absent," Slot concluded.
Currently, the defending champions sit outside the European places, nine points adrift behind leaders Arsenal.
They will welcome Sunderland on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's away fixture at Leeds, a side presently occupying a spot in the relegation zone.
Analysis: Potential Unavailability
According to the plan, Salah's final appearance before departing is projected as the December 13th clash with Brighton.
Should Egypt progress to the final, then Salah would not return until January 19th as the soonest possible date.
Such a situation would see him absent for seven games, among them a key match against Arsenal on the road on January 8th.
The manager, however, did not confirm whether he would omit Salah again over the immediate future, he conceded the player was disappointed after the weekend's omission.
