Are There Problems Between Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz? The Gesture That Sparked Fury at Liverpool

Liverpool’s 5–1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt brought more than just three points and a breath of relief in the Champions League. Amid the euphoria, Mohamed Salah was accused of being “selfish” after denying a clear scoring chance to Florian Wirtz, the club’s record signing.

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 c

Mohamed Salah is not angry with Florian Wirtz; rather, Wirtz and many fans were frustrated with Salah for being selfish in a match situation. 

The core issue stems from an October 2025 Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt where Salah, coming off the bench, chose to shoot instead of passing the ball to a wide-open Wirtz, who was in a clear goal-scoring position. 

Wirtz's reaction: Wirtz was visibly frustrated, throwing his arms up in the air in annoyance that he didn't receive the pass for a simple tap-in goal.

Fan criticism: This incident led to significant backlash from Liverpool supporters on social media, who branded Salah as "greedy" and "selfish," especially as Wirtz had not yet scored his first goal for the club and Salah himself was experiencing a goal drought.

German media claims: Some German media outlets even went further, suggesting that Salah was intentionally ignoring Wirtz and was a "major problem" hindering the German player's integration and performance at Liverpool. 

The tension is thus based on on-field incidents and media speculation about potential friction, not an explicit statement of anger from Salah towards Wirtz. rucial to sustain momentum.