Exclusive. Tensions are simmering inside Liverpool's dressing room. Sources close to the situation confirm Mohamed Salah did not take kindly to successive benchings against West Ham and Sunderland, with manager Arne Slot publicly acknowledging the Egyptian was not happy with his decisions.
The understanding is Salah's frustration represents one of the most difficult periods of his Anfield tenure. A second offensive player, Federico Chiesa, is also believed to be questioning his position in the attacking pecking order as the champions struggle for form and consistency.
Slot holds firm
The Dutch manager has defended his stance unequivocally. Sources indicate Slot operates on a clear principle: nobody receives preferential treatment, current form dictates selection. Captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly backed the approach, reminding observers that competition for places at Liverpool has never been fiercer.
The arrivals of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have intensified the battle for starting berths, though neither has yet found their rhythm in a tactical framework disrupted by disappointing results. Slot continues to insist privately that reconnecting with the top four remains the priority, even if that requires unpopular decisions.
Delicate balancing act
Managing a dressing room filled with strong personalities presents its own challenges. Salah departs for Africa Cup of Nations duty on December 15, giving Slot just three more matches to utilise his most prolific attacker before a month-long absence.
The understanding is Liverpool cannot afford to alienate a player who has created 28 chances this season, more than any teammate. Yet Slot appears unwilling to compromise on principles that he believes will restore the club's competitive edge.
Sources confirm one reality remains unchanged at Anfield: dressing room discord evaporates when victories return. Until then, the scrutiny intensifies.
