The simmering tension at Liverpool that erupted into public view earlier this month appears to be cooling. Mohamed Salah, the club’s iconic forward, apologised to his teammates for an explosive interview in which he accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” and declared his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had broken down. The apology, confirmed by midfielder Curtis Jones, comes as the reigning Premier League champions attempt to stabilise a season marred by erratic form and intense scrutiny.
The conflict became public following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United on 6 December. Salah, having been left on the bench for a third consecutive league match, gave a candid interview where he expressed deep frustration. He stated he felt unfairly blamed for the team’s struggles and suggested he had “earned” his place after “eight phenomenal seasons”. The immediate consequence was his omission from the squad for a crucial Champions League away match at Inter Milan the following week.
However, after what the club described as conciliatory talks, Salah was reintegrated into the squad. He came off the bench in the following match against Brighton & Hove Albion, providing an assist in a 2-0 victory. It was in the wake of this return that he addressed the Liverpool dressing room. Speaking to Sky Sports, teammate Curtis Jones revealed Salah’s direct words: “He apologised to us and was like: ‘If I’ve affected anybody or made you feel any sort of way, I apologise.’ That’s the man that he is”.
Jones emphasised there were no lingering hard feelings, describing Salah as having “a big smile on his face” and stating that the squad’s unity remained intact. He framed the incident as a product of high standards, remarking, “I guess it’s just part of wanting to be a winner”.
Salah’s personal situation unfolded against the backdrop of broader challenges for Liverpool. After a dominant title-winning 2024/25 campaign, the team’s form has been inconsistent. A strong start with five consecutive wins was followed by a run of just two wins in ten league games, a relegation-level streak that prompted significant tactical adjustments from Slot.
A core issue has been the change in how opponents are playing against the champions. Analysis shows teams are now avoiding playing out from the back against Liverpool’s press, instead launching over 70% of their goal kicks, the highest rate any team faces in the league. This tactical shift has negated one of Liverpool’s and Salah’s greatest strengths: devastating counter-attacks. Last season, Liverpool were the league’s best counter-attacking side, with Salah recording the most shots and goals from fast breaks of any player in seven years.
Slot has responded by frequently altering formations and personnel, searching for a new, reliable formula. He has utilised various systems, including a 4-4-2 diamond, which has at times functioned without a traditional right-winger like Salah. This experimentation is partly driven by the integration of several high-profile, high-cost new signings, including forwards Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. The process has not been seamless. Isak, a club-record signing, has acknowledged his own slow start, telling Swedish media, “I don’t really have the answer” for the collective struggles, while admitting he personally expects to contribute more.
The data underscores a significant drop in Salah’s on-pitch output this season. After a record-breaking 29 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League last term, his underlying expected goals and assists metrics are at their lowest since he joined the club in 2017. His dribble success rate has also fallen sharply, from 42.3% to 26.8%.
Furthermore, tactical analysis highlights that Salah’s limited defensive contribution a privilege granted to maximise his attacking threat has become more problematic this season. In over 1,100 league minutes, he has made only two tackles and two interceptions. Specific defensive lapses in set-piece situations have been cited in opposition goals, including in a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The immediate path forward sees Salah departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Egypt, where he could remain until mid-January if his nation progresses. Manager Arne Slot has stated he will not discuss Liverpool matters with Salah during the tournament to avoid being “a distraction”.
The resolution of the immediate rift offers a temporary peace, but larger questions persist. The incident has sparked fervent debate about Salah’s legacy, his future at the club, and the challenges of integrating a new generation of stars while transitioning from a legendary era. For now, as Curtis Jones noted, the squad has moved past the incident and is focused on performance:
“We’re past that now and we’re gelling well as a team, playing well and starting to win games”. Whether this apology marks a true reset or a pause before a more permanent separation will be one of the defining stories of Liverpool’s season.
