After hitting out at Slot,…

It seems fitting that a season for Liverpool known for its late-game drama should reveal one last twist.

As the tumultuous campaign for the reigning Premier League champions approaches its end, Mohamed Salah is poised to close his tenure at Anfield after his final match this Sunday, before departing on a free transfer this summer. As tensions rise, he has reignited intrigue regarding the future of beleaguered head coach Arne Slot.

Following Liverpool’s disappointing 4-2 loss at Aston Villa, Salah expressed his frustrations via social media, voicing disappointment over the club’s lackluster title defense.

“I’ve seen this club transform from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions,” the Egypt international stated. “It was a hard-fought journey that made me proud. To crumble again this season is painful and unfair to our fans. I want to see us return to being that fearless, trophy-winning team.” He emphasized that this style of play should be maintained and adhered to by newcomers joining the club.

Salah raises important points. After winning the previous season by a margin of 10 points, Liverpool has severely underperformed this year, despite several extenuating circumstances.

While a win against Brentford could secure Champions League qualification, it’s clear that the club has not met expectations. The statistics paint a troubling picture for Slot: 19 defeats (the highest since 2009-10) and 52 goals conceded (the most in over a century).

Salah’s points have resonated with the fanbase, which increasingly shows dissatisfaction with Slot. Currently, 12 squad members, including six players from the Villa Park match, have liked Salah’s Instagram post, indicating a shared sentiment of frustration within the locker room.

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These developments cast a shadow over Slot, whose support from last season has dwindled significantly over the past nine months. However, Salah’s approach is not without its own controversies and criticisms.

The 33-year-old’s ongoing disputes with Slot have added unnecessary drama to a challenging season filled with issues on and off the field. Last December, after being benched for three straight games, Salah gave an intense interview following a 3-3 draw against Leeds United, expressing feelings of being scapegoated.

“It’s clear that someone wanted to assign me the blame,” Salah remarked. “I used to have a great relationship with the manager, and now I feel like I’ve been thrown under the bus.” This was just the fourth instance in over eight years that Salah engaged in a post-match interview with the media, indicating his frustration.

There is a degree of truth to his claims; Liverpool has won only 61% of matches with Salah on the pitch this season, compared to a mere 35% without him. Yet, he is not the sole reason for the team’s struggles, although even his biggest supporters would agree that his performance this season has significantly waned. With only nine goals and 12 assists so far, he’s on track for his least productive season with the club. Being a prominent athlete, it’s also expected that Salah’s contributions, both positive and negative, draw more scrutiny than his less celebrated teammates.

After his comments at Leeds, Salah was left out of the squad for a crucial Champions League match against Internazionale. Regardless, 26 out of the 34 questions posed to Slot and goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the pre-match conference were about Salah.

Whether intentional or not, Salah has once again made himself the center of attention. What should have been a week celebrating his impressive legacy, as well as that of left back Andy Robertson, who is also concluding his time with Liverpool, has turned into a source of discord and tension within the already divided fanbase.

Everyone connected to Liverpool understands this season has not met expectations and that improvements are essential for the future. Salah’s loyalty to the club is unquestionable, but his concerns about its trajectory—and those of some teammates—should be considered as owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and sporting director Richard Hughes plan for the summer.

Nonetheless, no player, no matter their stature, should have the power to dictate a manager’s future. A prime example is Cristiano Ronaldo, who attempted to sway the club at Manchester United through an explosive interview in November 2022, ultimately resulting in his departure.

Though Ronaldo’s concerns about the manager were later justified, allowing star players to attempt such power plays seldom ends well for a club.

Salah has a knack for choosing the right moments to express himself, and his recent comments come at a time when Slot’s reputation with the fans is at a low point. By referencing “heavy metal” football and the transformation from “doubters to believers”—phrases associated with Jürgen Klopp—Salah touches a chord with fans yearning for a return to past glories.

Interestingly, both Salah and Klopp have noted that their relationship has improved since no longer working together, and Salah had previously praised Slot’s controlled gameplay style while the team was successful under him. However, in the charged atmosphere of football fandom, allegiances can easily shift.

Slot emphasized this notion earlier this month when responding to Salah’s comments regarding maintaining standards even in his absence, suggesting that “standards are not only important in the gym.”