At Liverpool, the story is no longer only about goals and trophies. In early December 2025, Mohamed Salah’s public criticism of head coach Arne Slot burst into the open and changed the mood at the club. Hours after the headlines, Salah trained with the team, then did not travel to face Inter Milan in the Champions League. In one move, Liverpool’s most famous player and its new coach were set on a collision course.

This is not a small disagreement. It is a test of control, culture, and what comes next for a club that lives under bright lights and bigger expectations. The timing could hardly be worse, landing just before a crucial European night and with the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on the horizon.

The spark: Mohamed Salah’s criticism of Arne Slot

Salah made public remarks that were critical of Slot. For a star of his status, that is a powerful message. It hints at a deeper issue than a single bad day or a tough training session. It raises questions about belief in the new plan, and whether the dressing room is fully behind the manager.

When a club’s top forward speaks out, fans and teammates listen. It also forces the manager and the board to decide how to respond. Do they show authority by setting clear lines? Or do they try to calm things with a softer touch? At Liverpool, both choices carry risk.

“If Salah talks like this in public, the private talks must be even sharper.”

Dropped after training: Inter Milan without Salah

Salah trained with the group before the trip to Italy. Then came the twist: he did not board the plane for Inter. For supporters, it was a jolt. Training is usually the final step before a big match. Being left out after that speaks loudly, even when the club stays quiet.

There can be many reasons for a player to miss a trip. But the timing here, right after the public comments, makes this feel like a turning point. In a Champions League week, every choice is judged not just for one game, but for what it says about the future.

Slot stays silent—for now

At the time of reporting, Arne Slot had not yet responded publicly to Salah’s remarks. That silence can be read in two ways. One, it may mean the club wants to handle this inside the house. Two, it may show the coach is weighing his words carefully in a tense moment.

Either way, the pressure is real. Results and squad unity are the frame around any manager. When a star speaks out and does not travel for a key game, that frame shakes. Slot’s job security, already a talking point, now sits in the headline.

“Inter week should be about tactics, not a showdown between your coach and your best forward.”

Has Salah’s standing been damaged?

Some analysts believe the episode may have harmed Salah’s place at Liverpool. The idea being whispered: if Slot stays, Salah may not play for the club again. That is a stark view, but it captures the scale of the fallout. When relationships break at the top of the squad, they can be hard to mend.

Still, football can move fast. A talk, a handshake, a shared goal—these can change the mood. But the bridge is longer to cross once a player’s criticism goes public and selection choices follow right after.

Can calm heads fix this? Slot’s style and the path to a reset

Slot is seen as a more relaxed personality. That can help. A calm manager can listen, lower the heat, and build a path back. If he chooses that route, it will need clear steps: honest talks, shared standards, and immediate buy-in from the dressing room leaders.

But calm is not the same as easy. The team must believe the plan is firm and fair. If other players sense that rules bend for one star, unity fades. If they sense the coach is not heard by the star, the same risk appears. A reset requires both firmness and care.

“Either they fix it fast, or this season becomes about drama, not football.”

AFCON looming: the clock is ticking

Salah plans to play at the African Cup of Nations soon. That matters for two reasons. First, Liverpool must plan for weeks without him. Second, the gap could either cool tensions or freeze them in place. If there is no quick fix before he leaves, the story may only get bigger while he is away.

For Liverpool, AFCON also tests depth and leadership. Who steps up if Salah is gone and the noise remains? How does Slot keep the group focused on the pitch while the headlines circle off it?

What this means for Liverpool’s season right now

Every club faces hard moments. What makes this one different is the timing and the people involved. Liverpool need stability under a new coach and clear voices in the room. They also need their best players available and all-in for the Champions League push.

Here are the most urgent questions shaping the next few days:

• Will the club and Salah release a joint message to calm the situation?
• Does Slot address the comments after the Inter match, or keep it internal?
• Is there a pathway back into the squad for Salah before AFCON?
• How do teammates react if the rift carries on?

The answers will define the season more than one game ever could. A strong, united team can handle injuries, tough opponents, and even bad nights. A split team rarely survives the long run in Europe or at home.

The bottom line

Salah’s public remarks and his absence from the Inter trip have pushed Liverpool into a delicate, high-stakes moment. The club must protect its standards and its stars at the same time. That is never simple. Slot’s next steps—and Salah’s response—will say a lot about how this new era at Anfield will be built.

For now, the situation is clear: the relationship between Liverpool’s biggest name and its head coach is under real strain. The door to reconciliation is not closed, especially with Slot’s calm style, but the room is tense. The Champions League and AFCON schedules give little time to breathe. The football world is watching to see who moves first, and whether the next move brings peace or pushes the club toward a bigger change.