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Liverpool’s preparations for their crucial Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain took an unexpected turn when Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold were caught in a training-ground altercation. The footage, captured during the media’s open session, showed Salah playfully shoving Alexander-Arnold, whose reaction was notably more serious. The incident sparked widespread speculation, but as reported by 90Min, it appears to have been nothing more than “light-hearted ribbing.”
Trent 🆚 Salah 🥊
Things you don't expect to see but probably happen on every training ground in the country day to day.pic.twitter.com/2WQS7xlkiP
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) March 10, 2025
Incident in the Spotlight
Given the timing—on the eve of a must-win European tie—the altercation naturally drew attention. The clip showed Salah, grinning, instigating a shove towards Alexander-Arnold, who remained stone-faced. Ibrahima Konaté, Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliott quickly stepped in to separate them, an act that only fuelled more headlines. With cameras rolling and reporters present, the scene was swiftly disseminated across social media, leading to inevitable overreactions.
Photo: IMAGO
What Really Happened?
The Liverpool Echo has since clarified that there was no genuine malice behind the exchange, with both players later seen laughing and joking together. Given that UEFA mandates clubs to hold a short open training session before press conferences, Liverpool’s camp would have been well aware of the media’s presence. While some have speculated that Salah and Alexander-Arnold were engaging in mind games, the reality is likely far less dramatic.
Uncertain Futures Adding to Speculation
With both players’ Liverpool contracts expiring at the end of the season, there is understandable scrutiny over their actions. Salah has previously voiced his frustration over the lack of contract updates, subtly putting pressure on the club. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold, a reported target for Real Madrid, is also facing an uncertain summer. The tension surrounding their futures inevitably makes any small incident appear magnified.
The Bigger Picture
Regardless of the context, this was not an ideal scene for Liverpool heading into a season-defining fixture. Even if the altercation was light-hearted, the optics are less than ideal, especially with the team already under scrutiny following their first-leg performance against PSG. Arne Slot’s men must now ensure that internal distractions do not derail their European ambitions.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
Liverpool supporters will likely see this for what it is: a non-story blown out of proportion. Training ground bust-ups happen all the time in football. In fact, many fans might find some comfort in the fact that Salah and Alexander-Arnold still care enough to be fired up ahead of such a big game.
However, concerns will linger about their contract situations. Salah is arguably Liverpool’s greatest player of the modern era, yet his future remains unresolved. The fact that he has spoken publicly about the lack of a deal suggests frustration, and the club must be wary of allowing another key player to walk away.
Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, is more than just a local lad—he embodies the modern Liverpool DNA. With Real Madrid circling, it’s unsettling to think that the club could lose both its talismanic winger and its most creative right-back in one window.
Ultimately, this training spat is unlikely to impact Liverpool’s performance against PSG. But it does highlight an underlying issue: contract uncertainty creates instability. The club must act swiftly to resolve these situations before they become a real problem.
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