Liverpool’s dramatic 1–0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League might have been a big result for Arne Slot, but the story dominating the aftermath had very little to do with the football itself. Instead, the headlines centred on Mohamed Salah, his public criticism of the club, his omission from the squad, and the fiery reaction from Jamie Carragher, who didn’t hold back in his punditry.
Yet Liverpool’s win created a slice of history that added an ironic twist to the escalating narrative. Not since November 2009, during Carragher’s final Champions League appearance for the Reds, had Liverpool won an away match in the competition without Salah featuring. Sixteen years on, and with Salah left at home in England following his explosive comments about Slot and the club hierarchy, Liverpool repeated that rare feat at the San Siro.
This context set the stage for an intense, opinion-splitting debate: are Liverpool actually better without Mohamed Salah?
A Win Without Their Star — But What Does It Mean?
Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty secured the three points in Milan, extending Liverpool’s unbeaten run to four matches, their longest since they opened the season with seven consecutive victories. Crucially, Salah did not start any of the recent fixtures in that run.
Some observers immediately began drawing a link between Salah’s absence and Liverpool’s improved defensive structure. Slot’s men have certainly looked more disciplined and compact, conceding fewer chances and showing far better control in difficult moments.
But that improvement has come at a cost. The Reds have struggled significantly in the final third, lacking spark, creativity and ruthlessness. When you consider Salah’s pedigree—his goals, his consistency, and the defining role he played in last season’s Premier League title triumph, it is hard to argue that Liverpool have more attacking potential without him.
What the recent games show is not the rise of a stronger Liverpool without Salah, but rather a team patched together defensively and scraping results while sacrificing fluidity in attack.
Is Slot Making the Most of His Squad?
It’s easy to place blame squarely on Salah’s shoulders, especially given his extremely public dispute with the club. But Liverpool’s attacking problems run far deeper.
Slot’s big-money signings, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, each costing over £100 million, have struggled badly. Between them, they have produced just two goals and four assists in 34 appearances. Those numbers paint a worrying picture for Liverpool’s long-term offensive identity.
If your marquee forwards aren’t firing, and the system is not built to get the best out of them or Salah, then the tactical setup itself needs scrutiny. Liverpool may be harder to break down lately, but they are far less threatening. A team can only lean on defensive resilience for so long.
Salah’s dip in output might be criticised, but he remains the player most capable of elevating Liverpool’s attack, something their recent performances desperately lacked.
Carragher’s Criticism: Fair or Personal?
Jamie Carragher didn’t pull any punches following Salah’s outburst, calling the Egyptian’s comments unacceptable and publicly backing Arne Slot’s decision to leave him out of the Inter squad. Carragher even admitted that his desire to see Liverpool win the match was stronger than usual due to the controversy.
His emotional response resonated with some fans, who felt Salah should have handled his frustrations privately. Others, however, were uncomfortable with Carragher invoking the winger’s national-team record as part of his critique, arguing that it crossed the line into unnecessary personal territory.
This is where the debate becomes complicated. Salah suggested that Liverpool were attempting to push him out ahead of the January window and claimed Slot had provided no explanation for his lack of playing time. Whether or not those claims are true, airing them publicly was bound to ignite turbulence.
Yet the club’s shaky attacking output also lends weight to Salah’s frustration. If Liverpool are struggling creatively, is dropping your greatest attacking weapon really the solution?
Liverpool’s Season Hangs in the Balance
Beyond the drama, there is a deeper issue: Liverpool’s inconsistent form has already placed pressure on their hopes for a top-four finish. Their results may have steadied, but the quality of performance remains far from convincing.
As a result, Premier League odds have shifted significantly, with many bookmakers now viewing Liverpool as outsiders in the race for Champions League qualification. And that makes the Salah situation even more delicate. A resurgent Mohamed Salah, motivated, confident and properly integrated into Slot’s system, could be the very thing that pulls Liverpool back into contention, even if he is due at AFCON in the coming weeks.
Without him at his best, the Reds lack both star quality and cutting edge.
What Happens Next?
Liverpool now face a crucial stretch of their season, one that will require both tactical clarity and man-management finesse from Arne Slot. Salah’s relationship with the club is strained but salvageable. Slot still has time to rebuild trust and reintroduce his best player into a structure that needs attacking improvement.
For Salah, this is an opportunity to show leadership and remind fans why he has been the symbol of Liverpool’s modern success. For Slot, it’s a chance to demonstrate that he can manage big personalities while keeping the club competitive on multiple fronts.
The Inter win without Salah may have been historic—but Liverpool’s future success may depend on ensuring it stays a rarity.
