Salah and Slot: Inside Liverpool’s Broken Relationship and What Comes Next
Liverpool find themselves grappling with one of the most delicate situations of the Slot era, as tensions between Mohamed Salah and the head coach have spiralled into a public crisis. The fallout from Salah’s incendiary post-match interview at Elland Road has left senior figures at the club scrambling to restore order, while the player himself continues to question his future after revealing that his relationship with Slot is now broken.
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Salah Fallout Creates Unprecedented Turmoil
Mohamed Salah returned to the Kirkby training base on Sunday, involved only in light indoor work alongside other players who didn’t feature in the dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United. His presence did little to quieten the storm generated by his public accusation that Liverpool had “thrown him under the bus” and made him a scapegoat during a difficult campaign.
Club sources indicate that the forward’s outburst wasn’t entirely unexpected, but the severity of his criticism — aimed squarely at Liverpool and Slot — went much further than anyone at the training ground had anticipated. Teammates reportedly noticed a dramatic shift in his mood after learning he would again be benched at Elland Road, marking his third consecutive omission from the starting XI.
Salah’s frustration boiled over following the dropped points at Leeds, a moment senior staff had feared as his absence from the team continued. Yet Liverpool view his exclusion purely as a tactical decision made with the team’s best interests in mind, not an attempt to marginalise one of the club’s greatest modern players.
Slot’s Tactical Shift and Salah’s Growing Discontent
Slot has looked to rebuild stability during a patchy run of form by opting for greater compactness out of possession. This recalibration saw Dominik Szoboszlai deployed in Salah’s usual right-sided role, offering more defensive intensity — a shift the coaching staff believe has brought marginal improvements.
With AFCON approaching, Slot was also keen to test how Liverpool would operate without Salah, aiming to trial a new structure ahead of the Egyptian’s departure. Internally, Salah’s demotion was viewed as temporary, not a long-term changing of the guard.
However, for a player of Salah’s stature — one who thrives on rhythm, responsibility and prominence — the adjustment proved deeply unsettling. His private discussions with Ramy Abbas on Sunday centred on his future, with the player strongly hinting he may consider a January exit. Interest from Saudi Arabia and MLS has already resurfaced, with clubs monitoring the turbulence in anticipation of an opportunity.
Broken Relationship Raises Major Questions
Salah’s comments have sparked one of Liverpool’s most disruptive episodes of recent years, overshadowing both the Leeds collapse and the team’s broader struggles. His claim that “someone doesn’t want me in the club” has heightened speculation about whether the relationship with Slot can be repaired.
Despite the escalating tension, Liverpool’s owners retain full confidence in Slot. Sources close to the hierarchy maintain that the manager’s position is secure, and they will not entertain the idea of removing a coach due to a disagreement with a player — regardless of Salah’s legendary status.
Salah still commands enormous respect within the squad, though he is not known for maintaining a close inner circle. The general reaction from players has been one of acceptance; as one agent put it, “After everything he’s done for the club, I don’t think anyone can say anything to Mo.”
What Happens Now for Salah and Liverpool?
The immediate decision revolves around whether Salah will travel for Liverpool’s Champions League meeting with Inter Milan. Beyond that, the bigger question is whether a reconciliation can be forged or whether his comments represent a point of no return.
Liverpool’s leadership hope that his time away at AFCON — potentially until late January — might allow emotions to cool. It provides natural breathing space for both the player and the club.
Yet the damage caused by Saturday’s events remains significant. The forward’s belief that the relationship with Slot is broken has placed Liverpool at a crossroads, with sporting director Richard Hughes now tasked with navigating one of the most sensitive player-management episodes of the past decade.
Whether Salah stays or seeks a fresh start elsewhere will shape not only the remainder of the season but Liverpool’s strategy for several transfer windows to come.
