The former Liverpool manager's relationship with a number of key senior players had deteriorated before his departure from Anfield; Arne Slot was fired by Liverpool just over a week ago
17:28, 07 Jun 2026
Arne Slot had a tricky relationship with some Liverpool players
Arne Slot had a tricky relationship with some Liverpool players(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot's spell at Liverpool came to an end just over a week ago.
His exit was largely driven by the club's poor results throughout his second campaign, despite securing the Premier League trophy in his debut season. Another point of tension during Slot's reign was his deteriorating rapport with several important senior figures.
Incoming Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will prioritize restoring the connection between the squad and fans, after Anfield witnessed far too much discontent under the previous regime. He'll also face a considerable challenge in establishing the strongest possible relationship with his new squad. From Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold to Darwin Nunez, Liverpool.com examines Slot's fractured relationships with these three ex-Reds players.
Mohamed Salah
Perhaps the most prominent controversy of Slot's time in charge involved his relationship with Salah. The Egyptian sparked outrage after suggesting he'd been thrown "under the bus" following three straight exclusions from the starting XI in December 2025.
After being relegated to the substitutes' bench for an away fixture at Leeds, Salah claimed he'd been used as a scapegoat for Liverpool's dismal Premier League form, even stating that the player and manager "don't have any relationship."
Salah's frustrations extended beyond the dressing room, as he took to social media to voice his concerns about the club's direction following Liverpool's 4-2 loss to Aston Villa in May. "I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear, and back to being a team that wins trophies," he wrote.
Mohamed Salah and Slot's relationship was a topic of discussion earlier this season
Mohamed Salah and Slot's relationship was a topic of discussion earlier this season(Image: Getty Images)
"That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it. Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about."
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Another player who nearly provoked Slot's displeasure was former defender Alexander-Arnold. The academy product departed Anfield last summer, transferring to Real Madrid.
Their minor disagreement, which occurred during an early-season fixture against Brentford in 2024, had virtually no impact on Alexander-Arnold's eventual exit. Nevertheless, it showed how the Dutch manager was willing to assert his authority shortly after taking up the position.
The defender seemed displeased after being replaced by Conor Bradley with 18 minutes left while Liverpool held a comfortable 2-0 advantage. This marked the second time in the opening weeks of Slot's tenure at Anfield that Alexander-Arnold protested being substituted, with the full-back visibly annoyed after being taken off against Ipswich in Slot's first league game in charge.
Darwin Nunez
The Uruguayan received a stern rebuke from Slot regarding his work rate. As Liverpool coasted toward clinching the Premier League title last season, Nunez delivered a string of uninspiring displays, most notably in the match against Aston Villa in February 2025.
"I can accept misses, but what is harder for me to accept is his behavior after the chance," said Slot. "It got too much in his head; he was not the usual Darwin who works his a-- off and makes sure he helps the team. He was too disappointed he missed that chance."
Not long afterward, Nunez shared a message on social media that was swiftly removed. It stated: "Two three weeks ago, Darwin was the best, Darwin gave us the three points, but yesterday I was unlucky enough to miss a goal and I am once again the 'worst' and the failure."
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He subsequently attempted to explain his position, posting: "I wasn't the best three weeks ago, nor am I the worst now. If I fall, I get up. You will never see me lower my arms. I'm going to leave everything until the last day I have to be here in Liverpool. Resilience!"
However, his bold declaration proved insufficient to rescue his Liverpool career. The Uruguayan forward, who initially arrived at Anfield in June 2022, departed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August 2025.