Salah in the eye of the storm: from idol to target

Liverpool’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt seemed to mark the team’s rebirth after weeks of turmoil. However, the main focus of the night wasn’t the scoreline, it was a single play that ignited heated debate among fans. Mohamed Salah, coming off the bench in the 74th minute, chose to shoot instead of passing to Florian Wirtz, who was unmarked and ready to tap the ball in.

The German’s gesture of frustration, raising his arms after the play, set social media ablaze. Many supporters accused the Egyptian of acting selfishly and of “refusing to pass” to the young attacking midfielder. “Greedy Salah” quickly trended among fans, who demanded that Arne Slot stick to his decision of leaving him out of the starting eleven.

At 33, Salah hasn’t scored since September 17 against Atlético Madrid, and his performance has declined alarmingly. Just three goals across all competitions and growing frustration have turned him into a shadow of the player once feared across Europe.

The new order: Slot bets on Isak and Ekitike

Salah’s benching wasn’t accidental. Arne Slot made a bold decision before the match: to sideline his star and start Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike together for the first time. The gamble paid off. Liverpool played with intensity and fluidity, two qualities missing during recent defeats.

The move was backed by former player Jamie Carragher, who stated before the match: “When Salah isn’t the legendary Salah, he should be treated like any other player. He’s 33, he needs to be managed.” Slot reportedly agreed, realizing the Egyptian can no longer sustain three matches per week at full pace.

Meanwhile, Ekitike shone against his former club with a goal, and Wirtz dazzled with two assists, proving that Liverpool’s new generation can rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Wirtz responds with maturity: from frustration to leadership

Despite the tense moment with Salah, Florian Wirtz handled the situation with composure. The £116 million German playmaker spoke after the match, emphasizing that victory came first. “I knew I could do much more. In the second half we found ourselves as a team, and that’s what matters,” he told DAZN.

Wirtz has grown steadily since his arrival at Anfield, and criticism over his lack of goals seems misplaced after his brilliant display in Frankfurt. Two assists, sharp vision, and a maturity beyond his years now position him as the creative engine of this Liverpool side.

However, the tension with Salah raises an uncomfortable question: can two strong egos coexist in the same dressing room? In a Liverpool undergoing reconstruction, internal chemistry will be crucial to sustain momentum.

Is the Salah era over?

The controversy has reignited a debate that seemed unthinkable months ago: should Salah remain an automatic starter? With his form declining and the rise of young talents like Wirtz, Ekitike, and Isak, the Egyptian’s hierarchy could be in jeopardy.

Liverpool face Brentford next in the Premier League, and Arne Slot must decide whether to continue his renewal plan or restore power to his long-time star. What’s clear is that the team now looks fresher, more united, and more dangerous without relying solely on the eternal No. 11.

At a club accustomed to reinvention, Salah’s story may be entering its final chapter. And if the match in Frankfurt proved anything, it’s that Liverpool’s future no longer runs exclusively through his boots.