Liverpool Crisis Deepens as Pressure Mounts on Slot and Salah

Liverpool’s latest setback, a bruising 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, has triggered fresh concern over the direction of the season and the form of Mohamed Salah. It was a night that felt symbolic, a once relentless side now struggling for belief, rhythm and results. The atmosphere at Anfield told its own story, with frustration pouring from the stands after a ninth defeat in twelve matches, a run not seen for more than seventy years.

Slot’s Dilemma Over Salah

Arne Slot arrived with energy and authority, guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, yet a costly summer spend has only intensified scrutiny. Former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann offered a brutally clear assessment after watching another sluggish Liverpool performance. He told RTE Sport: “You’ve got to make a decision.

“In a way, I like that he kept the team from the other day, because he gave them a chance to redeem themselves.

“But then again, there comes a point when you’ve got to drop players. And even big players.

“I thought Salah might be one of the first ones to be dropped. He’s got a decision to make: do you get the sack with Salah? Or keep your job without him?”

Hamann’s words carry weight, shaped by elite experience and a Champions League winners medal. His sharpest criticism centred on Salah’s defensive lapse for PSV’s second goal. He continued: “What Salah did for the second PSV goal… Slot had the chance to take him off straight away.

“What he did there was disgraceful. For a player with the calibre of Salah… and it pains me to say. He’s been the guy who has been carrying the team for the last seven or eight years.

“But the way he let the player go past him without doing anything to help the team…”

Growing Concerns Across Pitch

While Salah shoulders much of the attention, Liverpool’s issues extend beyond the Egyptian forward. Virgil van Dijk’s unusual handball for PSV’s opener drew heavy criticism and Ibrahima Konate’s patchy form remains a talking point. 

Sunday Becomes Defining

Hamann hinted that changes are inevitable, suggesting that the West Ham game at the weekend may bring a different approach. “He gave him [Salah] a chance. I think it will be a different story on Sunday.” With confidence fragile and results spiralling, the coming days feel pivotal. Slot must find solutions, rebuild discipline and decide whether Liverpool’s talisman can still be the centrepiece of a team searching for itself.