Mohamed Salah lashed out at head coach Arne Slot's tactical system, saying it "has completely devoured the team's identity"..

Liverpool's Egypt interrnational right winger Mohamed Salah lashed out at head coach Arne Slot's tactical system on Sunday via his personal Instagram account, saying it "has completely devoured the team's identity."

In his post, Salah wrote: "I've witnessed this club transform from being doubters to believers, then becoming champions. It took a lot of hard work, and I've always done my best to help the club get to where it is today. Nothing makes me prouder."

"This season, we've suffered defeat after defeat, again and again, which is truly heartbreaking and not what the fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool return to their peak and become that 'heavy metal attacking team' again." 

"A team that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents, back to championship glory. This is the style of football I know, and the team spirit we must rediscover and forever uphold. There is no room for compromise on this, and every player who joins this club must adapt to it."

"Liverpool's goal shouldn't be just a few isolated victories. All teams win. Liverpool will always mean a lot to me and my family. I hope it will continue to be successful after I leave."

"As I've always said, qualifying for the Champions League next season is the minimum goal, and I will do everything in my power to achieve it."

Since its posting, this statement has attracted over 1 million likes from fans around the world, including current teammates Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ibrahima Konaté.

Even his former teammates Roberto Firmino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Georginio Wijnaldum, Luis Díaz, Adrian, legendary captain Jordan Henderson, and legendary former goalkeeping coach John Achterberg all liked the post.

Subsequently, Steven Gerrard, hailed as Liverpool's greatest player and captain from the late 1990s to the early 2010s, responded in an interview, saying he was surprised by the timing of Salah's comments, but also unsurprised by his outspoken nature.

His teammate Jamie Carragher believed that Salah's criticism was powerful, expressing the sentiments of some fans, and hoped that this statement would finally awaken the Reds' players who had been performing unusually poorly throughout the season.

Carragher's punditry partner and former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville, said that he is worried Salah might be sidelined again for criticizing Slot, denying him the chance to say goodbye to the fans at Anfield before leaving, because Slot seems to have an inability to accept criticism.

Neville also bluntly said that if Liverpool decides to do so, the club is being incredibly petty and could push the fans' already pent-up frustration with Slot and his coaching staff to the brink of a complete explosion.

Including this incident, this is the second time that the Reds' greatest number 11 in history has publicly criticized Slot.

On December 7, 2025, after Liverpool was forced into a 3-3 draw against Leeds United in the Premier League, Salah also approached reporters and complained that, "I feel like I have been 'thrown under the bus' for the team's poor form."

The usually humble Salah approached several prominent team correspondents after the match to complain that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot seemed to have soured, and that he suspected someone was 'throwing him under the bus' for the team's poor season.

He said he was upset about being relegated to the bench for the third consecutive games, unable to play and help his teammates, and hinted that he might consider leaving the club if the situation didn't improve.

Salah said: “I don’t know what to say, it’s kind of ridiculous, I can’t believe it. It’s a disappointing result for the whole team. We conceded some stupid goals. I was on the bench and couldn’t help my teammates at all.”

“I can’t believe I’ve been on the bench for 90 minutes. This is the third time. I think this is the first time in my career. I’m very disappointed. I’ve given so much to this club over the years, especially last season. Now it feels like the club has 'thrown me under the bus'.”

“That’s how I feel. Someone wants to put all the blame on me. The club made a lot of promises to me in the summer. Now, I’m on the bench, so you could say they didn’t deliver on those promises.”

“I used to have a good relationship with Arne Slot. Now there’s suddenly nothing between us anymore, I don’t know why. It feels like someone doesn’t want me to stay at the club. I called my parents and asked them to come to the game against Brighton.”

“It doesn’t matter whether I play or not. I just want to enjoy the game. I just want to say goodbye to the fans at Anfield before the Africa Cup of Nations because I didn't know what would happen when I got there."

"To be honest, I can't accept this situation. If I were at another club, every club would protect its players. Now it's like: 'Throw Mo (Mohamed Salah) under the bus because he's the problem with the team.'"

"I don't think I'm the problem. I don't need to fight for my position every day because I deserve it. I'm not bigger than the club, I'm not bigger than anything. But I do deserve this position."

He continued, "I'm sorry, I really like Erling Håland, I really like him, but I'm currently the Premier League's top scorer (and the most recent Golden Boot winner). I won the league title with fantastic performances."

"Of course, this hurts me. Everything I've done (in the past), (what's happening now) it hurts me."

"I know this club very well, I've been here for many years. Tomorrow, Jamie Carragher will definitely criticize me. But that's okay."

"Are Saudi interested in me? I don't want to answer that question because the club wants to take me in a different direction. I've given so much to this club. I love the fans, I love this club, and I don't know what the future holds."

"Since I came to the Premier League, I've scored more goals than anyone else in my generation. I don't think anyone has scored more. Can I give you an example? It's ridiculous."

"Harry Kane hasn't scored in 10 games for Tottenham Hotspur, maybe only one or two. The media was saying, 'Harry will definitely score.' Now it's become, 'Mo should be on the bench.'"

"I don't know if anyone wants me to leave. Please don't misunderstand me. This is just how I feel."

"I asked, but didn't get any explanation. I know I won't play. I can only accept reality and silently endure it."

"Arne told me yesterday (that I won't play). We had a meeting yesterday. He knows how I feel. It feels terrible to have to answer this question."

"Even... (Whether I regret signing the contract in April) this question hurts me, but I will never regret joining this club. I thought I would end my career here after signing. Now everything has changed."

"I'm thinking, why did it have to end like this? Five months ago I was winning awards, why did it come to this? Everyone in the team is not in good form, but I have to defend myself."

"There is no relationship between me and Slot. We used to have a good relationship, now it's not. No, no, I don't think my teammates have let me down. They know how much I love them and how much I support them, both before and after the game."

"I am an experienced player, I have been through what they are in now. I have always supported them and always provided them with experience. But, no, no, the players have not been affected by this at all. They are very supportive of me, so there is a lot of love and respect among us players."

Subsequent reports from various team correspondents confirmed that Salah and Slot's relationship had indeed completely soured, which was the main reason that he decided to terminate his contract and leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Image source: Internet / Sky Sports