Inside Mo Salah and Arne Slot's disagreement that led to Liverpool star's exit

Context of the Fallout: The friction began in late 2025 as Liverpool suffered a poor run of form, losing six of their first 13 league fixtures. Boss Arne Slot began heavily rotating his squad in search of a solution, which led to Salah being benched for several games. Starting Streak Ends: In November, Salah was dropped for a fixture against West Ham, bringing an end to a remarkable sequence of 53 consecutive Premier League starts. While Slot initially commended Salah's "professional" response, the forward was evidently frustrated at remaining an unused substitute throughout the 2-0 victory. Leeds United Outburst: The situation came to a head following a 3-3 stalemate against Leeds United on December 6, where Salah was not named in the starting XI for the third successive league match. After the game, Salah paused to address reporters in the mixed zone. Thrown Under the Bus: During this interview, Salah infamously claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club and the manager during their recent slump. He suggested that he was being made the scapegoat for the team's poor defensive performances and overall lack of cohesion. Relationship Breakdown: Salah further stated that his relationship with Arne Slot had soured for no clear reason. He pointed out that they initially had a good understanding but it had vanished as he found himself consigned to the bench. Internal Disciplinary Action: Following the interview, Slot omitted Salah from the squad for a midweek Champions League match against Inter Milan. The manager and the Liverpool board reportedly believed that public criticism of the coach warranted repercussions. Resolution Process: The disagreement was settled through discussions between the pair following the Inter Milan fixture. Slot later stated that "actions speak louder than words" and that he had explained his tactical reasons for the rotation directly to the player. Return to the Pitch: Salah made his comeback as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Brighton on December 13, where he instantly made a difference by setting up a goal for Hugo Ekitike. Slot lauded his performance after the match, asserting there were "no issues to resolve" and that Salah remained an integral part of the squad. Farewell Confirmed: Despite reaching an understanding with the Liverpool boss, Salah announced in March 2026 that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign. Slot has since hailed him as a Liverpool legend, ensuring that his final months at Anfield will be a celebratory send-off rather than a continuation of the previous controversy. READ MORE: Mohamed Salah statement in full as Liverpool star reveals he is quitting club