Mohamed Salah Crisis Exposes Critical Flaw That Could Tear Liverpool Apart

Liverpool might be facing a "more complex problem" regarding Mohamed Salah that extends beyond the club icon simply being frustrated about being relegated to the bench by Arne Slot in recent matches.

Salah criticized the organization for abandoning him and stated he no longer maintains a connection with Slot due to how matters have been managed. The Egyptian star went so far as to declare he shouldn't need to compete for his starting position because he's already demonstrated his worth through previous achievements.

Following three matches as a substitute and then making his concerns public, Salah was excluded from the squad when the Reds traveled to Italy for Champions League action. He returned to substitute duty for last weekend's Premier League victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, entering the match and recording an assist, but has now left for the Africa Cup of Nations with the situation still unresolved.

Sources close to the behind-the-scenes developments have indicated in a Daily Mail Q&A that Salah's frustration stems from more than just his personal standing being diminished.

The assertion is that, behind closed doors, Salah was not "entirely persuaded" by Liverpool's transfer activity during the summer window and questions whether Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, both record-setting acquisitions totaling £241 million ($323.2 million), are the right players to take over as the club's attacking leaders.

While not explicitly outlined in the referenced report, Salah was known to have strong bonds with Darwin Núñez and Luís Diaz—he was troubled when a Liverpool supporter account on social media "showed disrespect" toward the departed duo after the summer transfer period.

There have been numerous allegations in recent months suggesting he is particularly critical of Wirtz. One frequently cited instance has been Salah's reluctance to deliver the ball to the German for a simple scoring opportunity during a Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in October. Even today, Wirtz continues his search for his inaugural goal while carrying the burden of his transfer fee.

Salah's 'Discontent' Has Been Escalating

The dominant theory suggests that Salah's decision to address reporters following the Leeds match wasn't merely an impulsive act. While there may be some spontaneous elements, the indication is that tensions had been mounting toward that moment over several weeks and months.

With Salah currently participating in the AFCON tournament, the separation and time away might provide a therapeutic effect. Conversely, the issues could remain unaddressed and potentially worsen without proper resolution.

Reports indicate that Liverpool fully intends to retain Salah throughout the upcoming January transfer period and beyond this season until his contract expires in 2027.

If the 33-year-old doesn't share the conviction that he can continue representing the club, he hasn't yet expressed this sentiment. However, there will likely be numerous interested parties, particularly from Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer, and the Reds are reportedly approaching the situation as practically as possible under the circumstances, with the decision now resting entirely with Salah.

Nevertheless, Liverpool will not be coerced into providing assurances regarding matters like his starting position because such actions contradict their fundamental principles.