Tensions are rising at Anfield as Mohamed Salah reportedly stormed down the tunnel immediately after Liverpool’s 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. The incident, described by fans and pundits as a “Mohamed Salah Strop,” came after the Egyptian star was benched by new manager Arne Slot in one of the club’s most decisive wins of the season.
Salah, who has experienced a slow start to the 2025–26 campaign, was a surprise omission from the starting lineup for the crucial European clash. Despite the emphatic scoreline that snapped Liverpool’s recent poor run, Salah’s body language told a different story of discontent.
Introduced in the 74th minute to replace Hugo Ekitike, the forward was unable to make an impact on the scoresheet. At full-time, cameras captured him walking straight down the tunnel instead of joining teammates for post-match celebrations — a move widely seen as a sign of frustration toward the manager’s decision.
Arne Slot Defends Rotation Policy
The situation has drawn attention to Arne Slot’s squad management, especially his approach to rotating key players. It’s the second time in recent fixtures that the Liverpool boss has chosen to bench Salah, a decision that has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
Speaking ahead of the match, Slot justified his decision, explaining that Liverpool’s congested fixture list and the need to restructure the midfield required tactical flexibility. “We need players who can impact the game off the bench,” he said, emphasizing team balance over individual expectations.
Despite Slot’s reasoning, the Mohamed Salah Strop has fueled speculation of an underlying rift between the club’s biggest star and its new manager. Former Liverpool legends have commented that, at 33, Salah may need to adjust to a reduced role as Slot integrates younger, faster attacking options into his system.
While the 5-1 victory brought temporary relief to fans, the focus has now shifted from the team’s on-field dominance to the off-field tension brewing between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot — a dynamic that could shape the trajectory of Liverpool’s season.
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