Mohamed Salah is no longer the same. The Egyptian's start to the season is catastrophic. Fewer goals, fewer chances created, a rate of successful dribbles in free fall, efficiency at half mast. Arne Slot ended up making a radical decision on Wednesday evening: leaving his star striker on the bench during the Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt. “The Pharaoh” entered in the 74th minute in a match that was already over (5-1 victory for Liverpool), but his performance was mediocre. Worse, he was criticized for choosing to shoot instead of serving Florian Wirtz, alone in front of goal. “Salah is selfish”, thundered the fans. The next morning, the person responded. In his own way.
Salah on the decline, his place called into question
Mohamed Salah has removed all references to Liverpool from his Instagram and X accounts. No more photos with his teammates, no more images in red jerseys. Instead, generic shots of him alone or with his two daughters. A radical gesture that fools no one. The Egyptian international sends a clear message: he is not happy. And he makes it known publicly. After leaving the tunnel
“in an obvious state of frustration” Wednesday evening, Salah takes the next step. The conflict with Slot is now open.
Salah is 33 years old. And for the first time since his arrival at Liverpool in 2017, his starting place is no longer guaranteed. Reds legend Jamie Carragher put it bluntly before the Frankfurt game : “When Mo Salah is not the legendary Mo Salah, he is treated like the other players, which is fair. At 33, if he's not at his best, he shouldn't play three games in six days. » A polite way of saying that Salah is no longer untouchable. And obviously, the Egyptian does not accept it.
A selfish decision that annoys
In Frankfurt, Salah confirmed his difficulties. Coming into play, he therefore wasted a golden opportunity by refusing to serve Wirtz, still looking for his first goal in the Reds jersey. Social networks went up in flames. “Salah personally hates Flo, no other explanation”, quipped a fan. “Imagine how good we would be if Salah played with Wirtz instead of against him,” added another. The message is clear: Salah has become a problem.
Arne Slot must now decide. This weekend, Liverpool face Brentford. Will Salah start? If so, perhaps the storm will pass. If not, the conflict will take on another dimension. The Champions League clash against Real Madrid is approaching in November. Salah wants to play. Slot wants to win. Between the two, the relationship cracked. And this Thursday, by erasing Liverpool from his social networks, the Egyptian crossed a line. The clash is open.
