Something is very wrong at Liverpool. The team that won the Premier League title last season is falling apart. Now their biggest star has gone public with shocking claims that could change everything.

Mohamed Salah gave an explosive interview after Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday. His words were brutal and direct. The Egyptian superstar said he no longer has a relationship with manager Arne Slot. He accused the club of throwing him under the bus. He questioned whether he even has a future at Liverpool.

This is huge. We're talking about one of Liverpool's all-time legends potentially leaving in disgrace. Let's break down what happened, what it means, and where this mess goes from here.

What Did Mohamed Salah Actually Say?

After sitting on the bench for the third game in a row, Salah stopped to talk with reporters. He didn't hold back.

"I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season," Salah said. "Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling."

But he didn't stop there. Salah made an even more shocking claim about his relationship with Slot.

"I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club."

These are not minor complaints. Salah basically accused Liverpool of making him the scapegoat for their poor season. He said the club doesn't protect him like they should. He questioned whether people at Liverpool actually want him around.

Salah even hinted that next week's game against Brighton could be his last for Liverpool before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations. "I told my family to come to the Brighton game. I don't know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I'm going to enjoy that game because I don't know what is going to happen."

How Did Arne Slot Respond?

Slot held a press conference on Monday before Liverpool's Champions League match against Inter Milan. He looked uncomfortable. The usually calm Dutch manager was clearly caught off guard by Salah's public attack.

"It was a surprise to me when I heard he gave the comments he gave," Slot admitted. "I haven't felt that at all until Saturday evening."

Slot said he believed everything was fine between them until Salah spoke to the media. He mentioned that Salah had been respectful to staff and teammates even while being benched. The breakdown seemed to come out of nowhere from Slot's perspective.

When asked if Salah had played his last game for Liverpool, Slot gave a troubling answer. "I have no clue. I cannot answer that question at this moment in time."

That's not the response of a manager who's confident things will work out. Slot basically admitted he doesn't know if one of the world's best players will ever wear a Liverpool shirt again.

The Dutch manager also revealed that Salah would not travel to Milan for the Inter game. Liverpool made the decision to leave him behind. Slot said the only communication between them since Saturday was a "short" conversation to tell Salah he wasn't in the squad.

Why Was Salah Benched Three Games In A Row?

Understanding this situation requires looking at what led to the explosion. Salah hasn't been dropped randomly. His form this season has been dramatically worse than last year.

Last season, Salah was absolutely sensational. He led the entire Premier League in both goals and assists. He was the best player in England and helped Liverpool win the title. His partnership with Slot seemed perfect.

This season is completely different. Salah has only five goals and three assists in 19 games. Compare that to last year when he was scoring or assisting almost every match. His output has dropped by more than half.

Slot noticed the decline. More importantly, he noticed that Salah wasn't working as hard defensively. Last season, Slot gave Salah freedom to focus mostly on attacking. That only works when the player is scoring regularly. When the goals dry up, the manager needs more effort on both sides of the ball.

Liverpool as a team has struggled badly. They sit in ninth place in the Premier League table. The defending champions are nowhere near the top. Slot is under massive pressure to fix things. Dropping his highest-paid star was his way of trying to shake things up.

The Respect Issue That Changed Everything

What really triggered Salah's outburst wasn't just being benched. It was feeling disrespected and blamed.

Salah signed a new two-year contract extension at the end of last season. That deal keeps him at Liverpool until 2027 and reportedly pays him around $533,000 per week. He's the highest-paid player in the club's history.

According to Salah, he was given promises when he signed that deal. He claims Liverpool told him things that haven't happened. When he mentioned getting "a lot of promises in the summer," he suggested the club hasn't kept their word.

Salah also mentioned that Liverpool spent big money on new attackers this season. They bought Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz. These signings happened after Salah's contract extension. From his perspective, the club signed him to a huge deal and then immediately bought his replacements.

The veteran forward feels he's earned the right to play without fighting for his spot every single day. "I don't have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone but I earned my position."

This is where the clash happens. Slot believes every player must earn their place regardless of past achievements. Salah believes his legendary status at Liverpool should count for something.

What Does Fabrizio Romano Say?

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has been covering this story closely on his YouTube channel and social media. His insights reveal what's happening behind the scenes.

Romano confirmed that Liverpool's officials were "shocked" by Salah's public comments. They didn't see this coming. The club didn't know Salah felt this way because he hadn't said anything privately.

Here's something important Romano revealed: Salah has NOT started negotiations with Saudi Arabian clubs. Despite rumors flying everywhere, Salah hasn't been secretly arranging a move. Out of respect for Liverpool, he hasn't talked to anyone about leaving.

However, Romano also said there's a "concrete chance" Salah could leave in the January transfer window. The Saudi Pro League clubs remain very interested. They wanted him last summer, but he chose to stay. Now the situation has changed dramatically.

"There is a concrete chance for Salah to leave during the January transfer window," Romano stated. "Liverpool didn't receive any proposals so far, so at the moment there is zero between them. But the interest from Saudi remains."

Romano specifically mentioned that Al-Ittihad is making a huge push to sign Salah. Reports suggest they're offering around €90 million per season for three years. That would be a total contract value of €270 million. That's an absolutely extraordinary amount of money.

Liverpool's Impossible Decision

Liverpool now faces a terrible choice. Do they back their manager or their legendary player? Both options come with huge problems.

If Liverpool sides with Slot and allows Salah to leave, they lose one of the greatest players in club history. Salah is third on Liverpool's all-time top scorers list with 250 goals in 419 appearances. He's won every trophy with the club. Letting him go would anger many fans.

But if Liverpool forces Slot to bring Salah back into the team, they undermine their manager's authority. How can Slot discipline anyone if the biggest star gets special treatment? Other players would see that and lose respect for the coach.

According to reliable journalist David Ornstein, Liverpool is not actively trying to sell Salah. The club still wants him to stay. However, they also fully support Slot's decision to leave him out of the Inter Milan squad.

Sources close to the situation say Liverpool believes a short break from the team is best for everyone. Salah will continue training with the squad but won't play until tempers cool down.

What Do The Players Think?

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson spoke at Slot's pre-match press conference. He tried to remain diplomatic but admitted the situation is difficult for everyone.

"It is not an easy situation, but as a group we take as best as we can," Alisson said. "We have the personal relationship with him. I have been playing with Mo since I came to Europe, one year in Roma, eight with Liverpool."

Alisson made it clear the players are caught in the middle. They're friends with Salah and want what's best for him. But they also need to support the team and the manager.

Other reports suggest the Liverpool dressing room is "stunned" by Salah's public outburst. Many players think he should have handled this privately instead of going to the media. The way Salah aired the club's dirty laundry has made some teammates uncomfortable.

Is Slot's Job In Danger?

Some reports claim Liverpool has already contacted potential replacements for Slot. Names like Cesc Fabregas and even Steven Gerrard have been mentioned as emergency options.

However, most reliable sources say Liverpool is standing by their manager for now. The club believes this is a temporary crisis that can be resolved. They hired Slot to build something long-term, not to be sacked after a few bad months.

Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool captain, said Slot needed to take seven points from games against West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds to save his job. Liverpool only managed four points from those matches. The pressure on the Dutch coach is enormous.

But firing Slot now would send a terrible message. It would tell everyone that player power rules at Liverpool. It would make the club look weak and unstable. Most importantly, it wouldn't fix the underlying problems with the team's performance.

Could Salah Really Leave In January?

The January transfer window opens in less than a month. Could Salah actually be gone that quickly?

Romano believes it's possible but not certain. The key factor is whether Saudi clubs make an official offer. So far, nothing formal has been presented to Liverpool.

Salah has a contract until 2027. Liverpool doesn't need to sell. They could simply keep him even if he's unhappy. But keeping an unhappy superstar rarely works out well.

The Africa Cup of Nations complicates everything. Salah leaves for the tournament after next weekend's Brighton match. He'll be gone for several weeks. During that time, emotions might cool. Both sides might realize they need each other.

On the other hand, his absence might convince Liverpool they can survive without him. If the team plays better with Salah gone, it makes his exit easier to justify.

The Power Play Behind The Scenes

Some experts think Salah's interview was a calculated move. He didn't accidentally run into reporters and say these things. The timing was very specific.

Salah rarely speaks to the media. When he does, his words carry huge weight. By speaking now, during a crisis period for Liverpool, he put maximum pressure on the club.

Sky Sports compared this to Cristiano Ronaldo's infamous interview at Manchester United that led to his departure. In both cases, a legendary player publicly challenged their manager at a weak moment. It's a power move designed to force the club's hand.

If Liverpool was unsure about Slot before, Salah just made the decision harder. The club must now choose sides publicly. Whatever they decide will be seen as picking a winner in this battle.

What About The Fans?

Liverpool supporters are divided. Some stand firmly with Salah and think Slot has disrespected a legend. Others believe no player is bigger than the club and Slot made the right call based on form.

On social media, the majority seems to favor Salah. Comments like "I'll sacrifice the manager before I ever sacrifice Mo Salah" are common. Many fans point out that Salah has earned the benefit of the doubt through years of excellence.

But there's also a group that thinks Salah is being selfish. They argue that his form doesn't deserve a starting spot right now. They say Liverpool should build for the future, not cling to past glory.

What's clear is that this situation has badly damaged the unity at Anfield. Liverpool prides itself on being a family club where everything stays in-house. Salah smashed that image with his public complaints.

Where Does This Go From Here?

The next few days will be crucial. Liverpool plays Inter Milan on Tuesday, then Brighton on Saturday. How Slot handles those games without Salah will tell us a lot.

If Liverpool wins both matches convincingly, it strengthens Slot's position. He can argue the team plays better without Salah's current form weighing them down.

If Liverpool struggles or loses, the pressure to bring Salah back becomes overwhelming. Fans will demand the return of their star player.

The Brighton game is particularly important because it's Salah's last chance to play before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations. If Slot keeps him benched or brings him on for just a few minutes, it would be another public insult. But starting him after everything that's happened would look like Slot backing down.

The Bigger Picture For Liverpool

This crisis isn't really about one player or one manager. It's about a club in transition struggling to maintain its identity.

Liverpool won the Premier League last season but knows they need to evolve. Their squad is aging. Their style of play needs updating. The question is whether they evolve gradually or blow everything up and start over.

Keeping Salah means accepting a slower transition. He's 33 years old. He's not the player he was three years ago, even though he's still capable of brilliance. Building around him limits how much the team can change.

Selling Salah means embracing a full rebuild. Liverpool could use the money to sign younger players who fit Slot's vision better. But it also means potentially having a painful season or two while the new pieces come together.

This is the biggest crisis Liverpool has faced since Jurgen Klopp left. A legendary player has publicly declared war on his manager. The team is underperforming. Fans are angry and divided. The January transfer window looms.

Something has to give. Either Salah and Slot find a way to repair their relationship, or one of them will leave. Given how far things have gone, a happy reunion seems unlikely.

Salah's comments cannot be unsaid. Slot's authority has been challenged. The club must now decide what kind of Liverpool they want to be.

If they prioritize short-term success and fan satisfaction, they'll side with Salah and potentially find a new manager. If they commit to Slot's long-term project, they'll accept Salah's departure even if it's painful.

What's certain is that Liverpool cannot continue like this. The current situation is unsustainable. Something will change dramatically in the next few weeks.

For now, all we can do is watch and wait. But one thing is clear: Liverpool's season, and possibly their entire future direction, hangs in the balance. The next chapter in this story could define the club for years to come.

Whether Salah stays or goes, whether Slot survives or gets sacked, Liverpool will never be quite the same after this week. The damage is done. Now comes the hard part of figuring out how to move forward.