Mohamed Salah is not a footballer who hides his emotions easily. Liverpool fans have grown accustomed to seeing fire burn behind his eyes—fire that fuels his relentless pursuit of goals, assists, trophies, and moments that will be played back for generations. He has become a symbol of elite consistency during his time at Anfield, and even when his form dips slightly below his usual supernatural level, the goals continue to flow. But the 2024/25 season has introduced a new wrinkle to the storyline: a tactical shift under Arne Slot that has resulted in Salah being substituted more frequently than ever before.
It is a situation that the Egyptian superstar is not particularly thrilled about. And as he prepares to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, a major international commitment that always leaves Liverpool with mixed emotions, the forward’s displeasure has become a talking point—both inside the club and across the global football media landscape.
The narrative is layered: a legendary Premier League figure adjusting to a new managerial regime, a player with enormous national responsibility who refuses to compromise, and a club managing the delicate balance between competitive success and player satisfaction. This is the story behind Salah’s looming AFCON departure, his diminishing minutes under Slot, and the implications for Liverpool’s ambitions this season.
A Different Liverpool A New Philosophy
Jurgen Klopp’s era was fueled by high-intensity pressing, direct wing play, and transition dominance. Salah thrived in that chaos. For years, he was Liverpool’s spear and shield—scorer and creator, outlet and executioner. His runs into the right half-space terrified defenders, while his partnerships with Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino defined a modern football dynasty.
Arne Slot arrived promising evolution, not revolution. But even evolution requires change.
His approach leans on:
- Positional fluidity
- Controlled possession
- Collective pressing rather than chaos-induced duels
- Central chance creation patterns
Within this structure, Salah’s role has become more disciplined. He is still Liverpool’s most dangerous attacker, but he must adapt to shorter bursts of intensity rather than nonstop forward thrusting.
This tactical nuance has introduced something entirely new: Salah is being subbed off—regularly.
At 32, Liverpool’s medical and data teams know they must protect his explosiveness over a long season. Slot, unlike Klopp, is more pragmatic with load management. That pragmatism, however, comes with consequences.
Salah’s Frustration A Competitive Spirit Unrestrained
Salah’s response has been clear: he is not happy about being replaced when he feels he still has more to contribute.
Slot has acknowledged these emotions publicly. Though he maintains a calm demeanor, he has been transparent:
Salah always wants to play. That’s what you expect from a player of his caliber.
He never wants to come off the pitch.
For Liverpool fans, this isn’t surprising. Salah’s fitness record is extraordinary—he rarely misses games through injury or fatigue. He has always believed that even in the 89th minute, he can change the narrative of a match.
He has done so too many times for anyone to doubt that belief.
So, when Slot looks at the sports science data and decides it’s best to remove his star early—especially in matches still hanging by a thread—the decision lands like a personal insult to Salah’s competitive drive.
The issue isn’t disrespect. It isn’t arrogance. It’s the mentality that made him a global superstar:
Greatness hates limits.
The AFCON Effect Country Above All
Every two years, AFCON becomes the subject of fierce debate in Europe.
To Salah and millions of Egyptians, that debate is offensive.
This tournament is not an interruption—it is a sacred duty.
Salah carries the weight of a nation that worships football with an intensity few countries can match. He is already regarded as the greatest Egyptian footballer in history. Yet, without an AFCON trophy, there remains a missing jewel in his crown.
Twice he has reached the final.
Twice heartbreak followed.
This year, he is driven by unfinished business—so driven that he might be willing to push himself even harder physically, something Liverpool would prefer to avoid.
His departure from Merseyside will be felt sharply:
- Liverpool lose their top scorer
- Their most creative attacker disappears mid-season
- Their tactical structure takes a critical blow
Slot will have to rely on backups—likely a combination of Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz, Harvey Elliott, and perhaps a tactical reshuffling—to cover for a player who is ordinarily irreplaceable.
The Clock Is Ticking Club vs. Country Dynamics
The tension is not confrontational, but it is real.
Liverpool want Salah fit and firing for their Premier League and European ambitions. Losing him during a crucial period of the campaign requires contingency planning that no club eagerly accepts.
Salah, on the other hand, refuses to compromise his pride, heritage, or patriotic duty. AFCON is not optional; it is a priority.
The reduced minutes under Slot, though justified from a load-management perspective, may be interpreted differently by the player:
“If I’m being taken off early now… does that mean I’m not trusted?
Am I being asked to save myself for AFCON rather than Liverpool?
Why not let me decide how much I can give?”
This kind of internal conflict rarely surfaces publicly, but beneath the calm exterior, Salah is clearly driven by a desire to prove that he remains unstoppable.
Liverpool want to preserve his long-term spark.
Salah wants to burn bright—always.
The Contract Shadow A Future Still Uncertain
Behind the tactical adjustments and public diplomacy, a looming contract situation intensifies the plot.
Salah’s deal is running toward its final years, and the Saudi Pro League continues to stare intently in his direction. The bids from Al-Ittihad were astronomical. They will very likely return.
Liverpool want him to stay. Salah has expressed loyalty. But football evolves quickly, and decisions become more complicated when a player reaches his 30s and the tactical identity of a club is changing.
The reduced minutes can be interpreted in different ways:
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From Liverpool’s side
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- Sensible sports science management
- Tactical modernization
- Planning for the future
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From Salah’s perspective
- Are they preparing a world without me?
- Do they think I’m declining?
- Am I still the unquestioned pillar?
When a player of Salah’s magnitude begins asking those questions—even internally—the ripple effects can change everything.
Liverpool Without Salah A Tactical Challenge
When Salah leaves for AFCON, Slot must answer a tactical puzzle:
How do you replicate…
- His goal output
- His gravity—the way defenders panic around him
- His ability to win duels in tight spaces
- His leadership and aura
The honest answer is: you don’t.
Instead, Liverpool must evolve their patterns:
Possible Adjustments
- Elliott or Szoboszlai False Right Winger
- More interior rotations
- Full-backs (like Trent Alexander-Arnold) take wider roles
- Gakpo or Jota Central Threat
- Focus on cutbacks and quick interchanges
- Structure First, Chaos Second
- Slot’s preferred model may actually look cleaner without a talisman who demands creative freedom
Still, this adaptation comes with risk:
Salah is often the one who makes something from nothing.
Without him, Liverpool could morph from contenders into hopeful participators.
The Man Behind the Numbers
Statistics capture Salah’s production, but they will never fully capture his impact.
He is:
- A symbol of ambition for Africa
- An icon in the Muslim world
- A marketing engine for Liverpool and the Premier League
- A hero whose story transcends sport
His influence on young players around the globe is immeasurable. He is proof that hard work, resilience, and belief can topple any barrier.
So when he shows displeasure at being subbed off early, it’s not petulance—it’s a refusal to accept mediocrity.
The best players demand to play because they demand to be great.
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