MOHAMED SALAH LIVERPOOL CRISIS: WHY TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD’S EXIT DESTROYED THE EGYPTIAN KING’S FORM
Mohamed Salah is struggling at Liverpool. Former striker Dean Saunders explains how losing Trent Alexander-Arnold ruined Salah's game.
Everyone's wondering why Mohamed Salah is struggling at Liverpool, especially after he kind of blew up at the team. Some people think it's because Trent Alexander-Arnold left last summer. Dean Saunders said that the Egyptian King isn't having an easy time this season (2025-26), and that's why he spoke out.
Salah started on the bench after a good start.
After signing a new two-year deal in April, Salah began the season okay. He scored three goals in five games across the Premier League and Champions League, while the English champs started perfectly.
Things went downhill fast for everyone, though. Salah went six games without a goal and is currently on another dry spell of the same length. Plus, the 33-year-old hasn't been playing as much as he wants lately.
Salah is back in the team after a rant against Liverpool.
He's been a sub in the last four Premier League games. In one of those games, Liverpool drew 3-3 with Leeds. After that, Salah accused the team of throwing him under the bus and said his relationship with the coach, Arne Slot, was falling apart.
The team decided not to take Salah to the game against Inter Milan. He came back for the Brighton game and even got an assist after coming on in the 26th minute.
Now he's off to the Africa Cup of Nations, and people are wondering if he'll be transferred in January, especially with those Saudi Pro League clubs sniffing around again.
Why is Salah struggling? What's Alexander-Arnold got to do with it?
Saunders, a former Liverpool striker, was asked why Salah is having trouble after scoring 250 goals for the team. He told GOAL, "Who would have thought it could go this wrong?" He’s going to miss Trent because Trent’s disguised passing got him in. Trent would even look at him sometimes and find him. Full-backs knew where Salah was, but Trent played inside him and passed the ball outside and said, ‘If you need me, if you need to give it back to me, when you give it back, I’ve got the magic wand to find anybody in the box.’ Clubs made sure they got someone out to Trent because they knew he could hurt them, and that left Mo Salah one-on-one with the full-back. They are leaving the fullback on the ball because they can’t hurt them as Trent did. They have had five right-backs play.
I’m sticking up for him a little bit here. He’s lost [Diogo] Jota and [Darwin] Nunez and [Luis] Diaz. Diaz used to go outside the fullback and cross it. [Cody] Gakpo never goes outside the full-back. He’s lost Andy Robertson. He’s got a bit of an argument on why he’s not playing well, which is fair enough. But I would say to him, ‘When’s the last time you beat the fullback? When was the last time you cut inside and hit one in the top corner? When was the last goal you scored? When’s the last time you looked like Mo Salah, the one we know? So look in the mirror and sort your own game out.’
I understand what he’s saying, but to then come out with what he did after it was obvious that Slot had gone for a clean sheet at West Ham. He’s obviously gone with ‘We need a clean sheet; I’m going to sacrifice attacking,’ and he played [Dominik] Szoboszlai in Mo’s position. And the game at Inter—that was the best back four he could put out—Joe Gomez, [Virgil] van Dijk, [Ibrahima] Konate, and Andy Robertson. He must understand what the manager is trying to do by leaving him out, but in his head, he thinks, ‘I’m the best player in the world; how can you do this to me?’ He shouldn’t have said what he said, and he needs to apologise. If he apologises, things can be swept under the carpet.”
What's next for Salah?
Slot said he'd talk to Salah before the Brighton game. They seem to have worked things out since Salah came off the bench when Gomez got hurt during the game against Brighton, but we'll have to wait and see what happens next.
WHY IS LIVERPOOL HESITATING TO HIRE XABI ALONSO DESPITE OVERWHELMING FAN SUPPORT?
Liverpool has contacted Real Madrid to investigate Xabi Alonso’s tenure, as pressure grows on current manager Arne Slot at Anfield.
Liverpool have reached out to Real Madrid to ask about Xabi Alonso, but honestly, there’s some debate going on behind the scenes. People have been talking about Alonso stepping in at Anfield, especially since Arne Slot’s season hasn’t gone over well. Fans let out some boos after that 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and the mood is pretty tense. Even though Slot led Liverpool to a league title last year, quite a few supporters seem fed up with him and would rather see Alonso take charge.
But Spanish outlet AS says Liverpool have contacted Real Madrid to get the inside scoop on what happened during Alonso’s time at the club. It sounds like the decision-makers at Liverpool are starting to feel unsure about him, and they might actually stick with Slot for another season.
Alonso landed the Real Madrid job last summer after doing wonders at Bayer Leverkusen. Still, just six months in, Madrid let him go, reportedly because the locker room was falling apart. Liverpool’s relationship with Real Madrid is strong, and they apparently want some honest feedback – kind of like asking for a reference from a past employer, which isn’t unusual.
Liverpool’s spot in next year’s Champions League is almost locked in, but with two games left, it’s not guaranteed yet. When asked about the boos, Slot admitted he has some work to do to win fans over.
He said, “Not this season. Fans won’t change their minds now. But if we get the summer we’re planning, I’m convinced we’ll be a different team next season. Results, style, everything. It’s not always easy, though. Sometimes you know what needs fixing, but getting what you want isn’t so simple. This season, it’s been pretty clear what we’re missing. We’re trying to solve it, but one issue is simply having enough fit players. Still, our guys show every week in the second half that they’re giving everything they’ve got.”
PREMIER LEAGUE ALERT: LIVERPOOL MONITORING MBAPPE AS REAL MADRID RELATIONSHIP HITS BREAKING POINT
Is the Madrid dream over? Real Madrid may open the door for Mbappe's exit as Premier League giants prepare massive financial bids.
Kylian Mbappe has recently caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, amid the ongoing issues at Real Madrid, according to sources shared with StadiumNest.
At 27, Mbappé has found himself at the centre of various conflicts involving staff and teammates at Los Blancos. These tensions have fuelled talk of significant changes within the squad.
Amid this unrest, a petition calling for Mbappe to leave Madrid has been circulating and has gathered over 30 million signatures.
As discussed on the latest Football Insider Transfer Insider podcast, Premier League teams are closely monitoring the situation, ready to make a move if Real Madrid decides to let Mbappe go.
Though a transfer still seems unlikely at this stage, some of the Premier League’s wealthiest clubs are alert to the possibility, with Liverpool potentially considering him as a target.
Wasn’t Liverpool already linked to Mbappe before?
Yes, back in 2023, Football Insider reported that Liverpool showed interest in Mbappe before he eventually joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
While multiple English clubs explored bringing him over, Mbappe initially had his sights set solely on Madrid. However, the relationship there seems to have become strained.
On the pitch, the season has been turbulent, and behind the scenes, the conflicts have only added to concerns with Mbappe involved in several incidents.
During the Transfer Insider podcast, I pointed out, "I'm pretty sure Liverpool and others would jump at the chance to sign Mbappe. He’s undeniably one of the world’s top players.
“There’s been a lot of drama around him this season, coupled with Real Madrid’s current issues.
“Landing him would be a dream for the Premier League because he’s arguably football’s biggest star right now. It’d be exciting to see him in England.
“Of course, it would mean a massive financial commitment. Between transfer fees and wages, only a handful of clubs could handle that.
“But if Real Madrid do open the door, expect the Premier League’s top clubs to make their case. Opportunities to sign a player like Mbappe don’t come along often.”
Why might Liverpool consider bringing Mbappe in?
Liverpool have been among the Premier League’s biggest spenders, breaking their own transfer record twice just last summer, putting them among the few clubs with the financial muscle to afford Mbappe.
Beyond his star power and goal-scoring prowess, the Reds are facing concerns over their striking options this summer.
Football Insider reported on April 17 that Liverpool is planning to add a striker. Hugo Ekitike won’t be available until 2027 due to an Achilles injury.
Meanwhile, Alexander Isak, their record signing from Newcastle, has struggled to find consistent form and fitness early on at Anfield.
As a result, Liverpool is exploring several possible striker additions. While a massive investment seems unlikely, the chance to sign someone like Mbappe might be too tempting to ignore.
