Mohamed Salah clash with Trent Alexander-Arnold may explain Liverpool form drop

Mohamed Salah's statistics have dramatically declined since a controversial training ground incident with Trent Alexander-Arnold in March 2025, with the Liverpool star's numbers telling a concerning story

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah celebrate Liverpool's Premier League title win in May 2025(Image: Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah's performances have raised significant concerns for Liverpool this campaign.

Yet the roots of his decline might trace back to a heated exchange with Trent Alexander-Arnold from 12 months ago. In March 2025, while Liverpool was cruising toward its 20th league championship, footage emerged of Salah and Alexander-Arnold pushing one another and confronting each other during training.

While Alexander-Arnold, who departed for Real Madrid during the summer window, appeared genuinely annoyed, Salah seemed amused by the situation. He was filmed chuckling in his then-teammate's face as Ibrahima Konate and Harvey Elliott intervened to defuse the situation. Sources close to the squad insisted the altercation was good-natured joshing.

The pair were allegedly seen around Kirkby afterwards, sharing laughs, yet Salah's statistics since that day suggest otherwise.

Salah proved crucial under Arne Slot last term as Liverpool clinched the title. He contributed 57 goals and assists across all competitions, securing his third PFA Players' Player of the Year award, the FWA Footballer of the Year honor, and Premier League Player of the Season recognition.

However, following that training ground clash, Salah managed only two goals and provided just one assist across the final nine matches of Liverpool's championship-winning season. This contrasts with the 27 goals and 17 assists he'd accumulated before the incident with his colleague.

Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold were seen being separated from one another on camera(Image: YouTube)

Salah put pen to paper on a fresh two-year deal with Liverpool in May 2025, but his modest output has persisted.

While the ex-Roma forward found the net in the Reds' 2-1 defeat at Wolves on Wednesday, this campaign has seen Liverpool's key man register just nine goals and eight assists across all competitions. Salah, however, missed a significant portion of Premier League fixtures in January while on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Since March 10, 2025, the 33-year-old Salah has managed only 12 goals and provided 13 assists for Liverpool. The winger's dip in form following the Alexander-Arnold moment could simply be coincidental or reflect broader struggles tied to Liverpool's disappointing performances since claiming the title.

Relations between Salah and Alexander-Arnold seemed cordial both before and following their on-pitch altercation. Salah actually defended the England international when sections of the Liverpool faithful jeered Alexander-Arnold during last May's Arsenal fixture, after he'd made clear his plans to depart the club.

"I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him," Salah told Sky Sports. "I think he didn't deserve it at the time; he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans."

Salah added: "I told him yesterday, don't give me eye contact in your farewell. I really love him. I think he deserves the best farewell leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club, and he's one of probably the best players in the club's history. He gave it all. I really wish him the best. I'll always be in contact with him."

The admiration was reciprocated when Alexander-Arnold publicly supported his former Liverpool colleague after Salah's contentious remarks in December, following his omission from the matchday squad on several occasions.

Salah posted on Instagram without a caption, sharing an image that highlighted his record as the player with the most goals and assists for a single club in Premier League history. The full-back replied to Salah's Instagram post with a goat emoji, acknowledging the Liverpool striker as the "greatest of all time."