Mo Salah and Arne Slot: The Breakdown of a Crucial Liverpool Relationship

As we approach the busy Christmas period, Liverpool’s defence of their Premier League crown has certainly not gone to plan. They currently sit 10th in the table on 23 points from 15 games—10 points behind leaders Arsenal. Problems on the pitch have been evident, with six defeats in their last 10 league matches.

However, issues have now begun surfacing off the pitch in the form of star man Mo Salah. Salah was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 0–2 win over West Ham and their 3–3 draw with Leeds, with only a 45-minute cameo in the 1–1 draw against Sunderland in between, where he made little impact. After the Leeds draw, he aired his grievances in his first post-match interview of the season.

Below, we examine Salah’s form this season and take a closer look at that interview to determine whether there is any way back for him in a Liverpool shirt.

Salah’s Poor Form

Salah has certainly not been his blistering self this season. His impact has been far less consistent than in previous years, and he has struggled to settle alongside Liverpool’s new signings. It was a busy summer at Anfield, with the club spending over £400 million and breaking the British transfer record twice—first on Florian Wirtz and then on Alexander Isak.

The squad is now being built around these signings, whereas in previous years it was built around Salah. He no longer appears to be the focal point of Liverpool’s attack, often playing very wide to accommodate others, despite being most dangerous when operating as an inside forward.

He has just four Premier League goals this season, along with two assists. By comparison, last season he scored 29 league goals and registered 18 assists. This significant drop-off has contributed to his exclusion from the starting lineup, much to his frustration. He was even left out of the squad entirely for Liverpool’s 0–1 Champions League win away at Inter Milan—reportedly because of the comments he made following the Leeds draw.

Will He Stay at Liverpool?

Salah’s comments after the Leeds match shocked supporters. He stated that he felt “someone at the club did not want him there anymore,” and that he felt “thrown under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive matches. These remarks were surprising for a player considered a senior figure, a member of the leadership group, and a club legend.

Salah’s frustrations were clear, but his comments appeared self-centred, reflecting his anger at his situation within the squad. Most striking of all was his claim that he had “no relationship” with manager Arne Slot.

After this weekend’s match against Brighton, Salah will join up with Egypt for AFCON duties and will be unavailable for Liverpool during a busy period of fixtures. This raises the key question: has Mo Salah already played his last game for Liverpool?

It is difficult to say with certainty, but the signs suggest he may have. He is unlikely to feature against Brighton, and by the time he returns from international duty, the January transfer window will be open. Liverpool may allow him to leave if a suitable offer is made.

Salah will undoubtedly be remembered as a Liverpool legend one of the greatest to ever wear the shirt but the timing and nature of his comments have left a sour taste among supporters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the relationship between Salah, the manager, and the club appears to have broken down, with little indication that it can be repaired. This situation only adds to what has already been a difficult season for Liverpool, compounded by the tragic loss of Diogo Jota before the campaign began, a close friend of Salah’s.

At this moment, it seems increasingly likely that Salah will depart the club. Regardless of how his time ends, he will be remembered as one of the finest players in Liverpool’s history, even if recent events have cast a shadow over his legacy.

Check out more news and sports content from BetinIreland.