Salah Bombshell Deepens Liverpool Crisis Under Slot
Mohamed Salah has publicly questioned his future at Liverpool after being dropped by Arne Slot, a stunning intervention that has piled fresh pressure on a club already spiralling away from the title race.
Arne Slot was still digesting Liverpool’s dramatic collapse at Elland Road when Mohamed Salah lit the fuse on what could become one of the most painful break-ups in the club’s modern history. In a raw post-match outburst, the Egyptian superstar turned his fire on both his manager and the club hierarchy, openly suggesting his time at Anfield may be coming to an end.
Liverpool’s problems are no longer confined to the pitch. A run of just four wins in 15 matches across all competitions has dragged the reigning Premier League champions into an identity crisis, and Salah’s comments have exposed deep cracks behind the scenes. For a player who sits third on the club’s all-time scoring list with 250 goals, only behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, this felt seismic.
Salah has been central to Liverpool’s recent golden era, playing a defining role in two title triumphs, including last season’s campaign where he swept individual awards as Slot lifted the league in his debut year. That relationship now appears fractured beyond repair.
The 33-year-old believes his bond with Slot has broken after being left on the bench for three consecutive matches. His words were direct and deeply personal. Salah said he feels the club has thrown him under the bus, insisting it looks clear that someone wanted him to take the blame for Liverpool’s struggles.
While his dip in form has undeniably contributed to the Reds’ decline, with just five goals in 19 appearances, Slot had until recently stood by his talisman. Pundits have criticised Salah’s reduced defensive output, but few expected such a sudden and public fallout.
The timing could hardly be worse. Liverpool already face a short-term separation from Salah as he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations following matches against Inter Milan and Brighton. Yet his remarks strongly hinted that the Brighton fixture could be his final appearance at Anfield.
Salah admitted he plans to enjoy the occasion because he does not know what will happen next, adding that he will say goodbye to the fans before leaving for the tournament, unsure of what awaits him upon his return.
For Slot, a public dispute with a club legend is the last thing he needs. His standing with supporters has eroded rapidly, just months after being hailed as a title-winning successor. Liverpool’s inability to defend leads has been alarming, and the chaotic 3-3 draw with Leeds summed up a season drifting out of control.
Twice ahead at Elland Road, first at 2-0 and later at 3-2, Liverpool still failed to win. That result means just two victories in their last 10 league games, dropping them to eighth and effectively ending any realistic title defence before Christmas.
Slot’s team selections are now under intense scrutiny. While he has made the bold call to bench Salah, his continued faith in centre-back Ibrahima Konate is drawing criticism. With Liverpool cruising at 2-0, Konate conceded a needless penalty by lunging into Willy Gnonto, opening the door for Leeds to roar back into the contest.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp described the decision as unbelievable. Moments later, Leeds built on that momentum to level through Anton Stach, wiping out Liverpool’s advantage in seconds.
Even after Dominik Szoboszlai restored the lead, familiar frailties returned. Ao Tanaka’s stoppage-time equaliser from a corner underlined a pattern of late concessions and poor set-piece defending that refuses to go away. Slot admitted there was little new in the manner of the goals conceded.
As Liverpool stumble toward the new year, uncertainty now surrounds both manager and star player. With results dipping, confidence draining and Salah openly questioning his future, the road to 2026 suddenly looks anything but stable at Anfield.
