The future of Liverpool's iconic forward Mohamed Salah at Anfield is hanging by a thread following a stunning public fallout with manager Arne Slot. The crisis erupted after Salah was left as an unused substitute in the Reds' dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United in December 2025.
The Beginning: A Promising Partnership
When Arne Slot succeeded the legendary Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, he inherited a squad still built around the talismanic Egyptian. Despite Salah entering the latter stages of his career, he remained the focal point of Liverpool's attack. The early signs were positive. In November 2024, with less than a year on his contract, Salah posted a cryptic social media message hinting at a potential exit. Slot publicly backed his star, insisting there was "no reason to think Salah's level will drop."
By January 2025, the mutual respect seemed to be growing. Salah admitted in an interview that he was "genuinely surprised" by how quickly Slot had implemented his philosophy at the club. This public endorsement marked a high point in their working relationship and suggested a strong foundation for future success.
The Peak and the Turning Point
The partnership appeared to reach its zenith in April 2025. Salah committed his future to Liverpool by signing a lucrative two-year contract extension, ending intense speculation of a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League. He stated his belief that he would continue to "win a lot of big trophies" under Slot's leadership. The manager reciprocated the praise, calling Salah a "top professional" who could have chosen any club in the world but stayed at Anfield.
However, the dynamic began to shift in the autumn of 2025. As Liverpool's form dipped and Salah's own performances came under scrutiny, Slot continued to defend him publicly. In October, the Dutchman asserted that great goalscorers like Salah "always come back." The first major crack appeared the following month when Slot made the seismic decision to drop Salah to the bench for a Premier League match against West Ham United for tactical reasons, a first for the forward in the league.
The Explosive Breakdown
The situation deteriorated rapidly in December. After being an unused substitute for the second time in three games during the Leeds draw, Salah unleashed his frustration in a bombshell interview. He delivered the damning verdict that "there is no relationship" left between him and Slot. He revealed the manager had told him of the benching the day before the game and admitted he had expressed his "feelings" about the decision.
The forward's grievances extended beyond the dugout. Salah made the serious allegation that Liverpool had not kept promises made to him during his contract renewal, a situation he labelled "not acceptable." In a further incendiary remark, he claimed he felt he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club. These comments represent the most severe public criticism from a player of Salah's stature in recent Liverpool history and have thrown his long-term future into unprecedented doubt.
What Happens Next for Liverpool and Salah?
Slot had previously acknowledged that dropping a player of Salah's influence would cause a stir, stating it was "completely normal" for people to talk about it. However, he is now faced with managing a full-blown crisis with his star player. The fallout presents a monumental challenge for the Liverpool hierarchy, who must now decide how to bridge what appears to be an irreparable rift between manager and icon, or face the prospect of a painful and acrimonious departure for one of the club's greatest ever players.
