Trent Alexander-Arnold and ex-teammates react to Mo Salah and Liverpools rift

December 10, 2025 Oliver Obel

Saturday’s 3–3 draw at Leeds produced its share of frustration, but the biggest shock came after full-time. Reporters waiting in the narrow mixed-zone corridor were met by Salah, who volunteered a rare and pointed criticism of club leadership.

The forward, benched for the third straight match, said he had been “thrown under the bus” and added: “It is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.” He also stated flatly that he has “no relationship” with Slot.

According to Sky Sports and The Guardian, Salah’s diminished playing time had been building tension internally, and his remarks immediately raised the question of whether his next match might be his last for Liverpool.

The backlash came quickly. On Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, club legend Jamie Carragher delivered a harsh assessment, calling Salah’s actions a “disgrace” and arguing that he had chosen a moment of collective disappointment to air personal grievances.

Slot and Alisson Face the Cameras

Salah was left out of the squad for the trip to Italy, a decision that dominated Liverpool’s pre-match press conference on Monday. Slot, who is in his first season at the club after replacing Jürgen Klopp, appeared measured but visibly weary as the same line of questioning continued for nearly ten minutes.

“We’ve let him know he’s not travelling with us,” Slot said, confirming that communication with Salah since the weekend had been brief. “That’s been the only communication between us and him.”

He described Salah’s reaction as “short,” adding that the player “has the right to feel how he feels things.” Still, Slot admitted he was surprised by the interview and said the club had to “react” quickly once the comments became public.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker also fielded questions, though Liverpool’s press officer eventually stepped in to steer the session back toward the actual match ahead.

A Social-Media Response and Former Teammates Weigh In

On Tuesday morning, while the squad made final preparations to fly to Italy, Salah posted a mirror selfie from the gym at the AXA Training Centre, offering what many interpreted as a quiet response to the ongoing controversy.

He appeared alone, wearing training gear, with weights visible behind him a small detail that underscored his separation from the traveling group.

The post drew immediate attention. Trent Alexander-Arnold, now at Real Madrid after leaving Liverpool last summer, liked the image. Jordan Henderson added a heart emoji. Former defender Dejan Lovren, a close friend of Salah’s, was more forceful, writing: “The only way to deal with injustice is to fight with all our strength.”

Alexander-Arnold has previously discussed his relationship with former teammates following his departure. In an interview with Prime Video Sport, he recalled receiving joking messages from Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté after Liverpool were drawn against Real Madrid last season.

“We were just laughing,” he said. “When the draw was announced, everyone knew it was going to happen.”

Implications for Liverpool’s Season

Slot insisted he still believes Salah could return to the squad once the situation settles, but the timing complicates matters. Liverpool will play Brighton at home before Salah departs to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations.

His return will coincide with the opening weeks of the January transfer window a period when interest from the Saudi Pro League and MLS is expected to intensify.

For Liverpool, the stakes are significant. Salah is not only the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer but also one of its most influential figures, both commercially and on the pitch. A rupture between player and manager this early in Slot’s tenure adds a layer of uncertainty to a season already defined by transition.

Whether Salah’s comments represent a temporary fracture or a turning point for both sides remains unclear. What is clear is that the saga has quickly evolved into one of the defining storylines of Liverpool’s year.

Sources: Sky Sports, The Guardian, Prime Video Sport, Liverpool press conference.