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(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(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.

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It's believed that Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is keen on reuniting with a trusted Bournemouth midfielder, with transfer speculation growing ahead of the summer window

17:24, 07 Jun 2026

Andoni Iraola is targeting a reunion with Alex Scott(Image: Getty Images)

New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is considering a reunion with Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

Scott has emerged as a potential summer transfer target for the Reds following his impressive development on the south coast. The 22-year-old has enjoyed three strong seasons since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City and is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's most promising young midfielders.

Scott's progress under Iraola helped establish him as a key figure at Bournemouth, and the Spaniard is understood to remain a strong admirer of the midfielder's energy, technical quality and ability to operate in multiple roles across the pitch.

Reports from SportsBoom state that Liverpool is closely monitoring Scott’s situation at Bournemouth after talks over a new contract reportedly hit a stumbling block, opening the door for potential interest from Anfield.

The Cherries have been keen to secure the midfielder’s long-term future, but contract talks are understood to have stalled, potentially alerting a number of interested clubs.

Scott is also believed to be open to a fresh challenge, with the prospect of reuniting with the manager who played a key role in his development at Bournemouth thought to be particularly appealing.

Alex Scott's contract talks with Bournemouth have reportedly stalled(Image: 2026 Visionhaus)

The prospect of a move to Anfield is also understood to appeal to the England international, despite Liverpool enduring a frustrating campaign that saw them finish fifth in the Premier League and fall short of expectations.

Iraola enjoyed significant success during his spell at Bournemouth, transforming the club into one of the division’s most dynamic and high-intensity sides. Scott became an integral part of that project, thriving in Iraola’s energetic system and establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young midfield prospects.

Liverpool is expected to undergo a major squad rebuild this summer, with Scott viewed as a player capable of fitting seamlessly into Iraola’s tactical plans. His versatility across midfield, combined with his work rate, technical ability and creativity, makes him an appealing option for the Merseyside club as the Reds look to reshape their squad.

The former Bristol City talent has attracted interest from several top sides in recent months, but Iraola’s expected move to Anfield could give Liverpool a decisive advantage in the race for his signature.

Bournemouth remains hopeful of agreeing fresh terms with Scott and is determined not to lose one of their prized assets without a fight.

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The club continues to value the midfielder highly and would demand a significant fee before even considering any potential offers.

However, with contract negotiations currently at a standstill and Iraola preparing to begin a new chapter at Liverpool, the Reds are understood to be monitoring the situation closely.

If Liverpool’s incoming head coach gets his way, Scott could emerge as one of the first major signings of the Iraola era, as the Spaniard looks to put his own stamp on the squad.

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Andoni Iraola’s appointment has opened the door for Liverpool to make a move for Bournemouth’s Rayan, according to The i Paper.

The Reds’ new boss is said to be a “huge fan” of the Brazil international, who has earned plaudits after scoring five goals in 15 appearances since joining the Cherries in the January transfer window.

The 19-year-old is claimed to have already been on Liverpool’s radar, with Iraola’s appointment potentially “likely” to have firmed up the club’s interest. A move is not expected until at least January though, when a $174 million (£130M) release clause becomes available, and lowers in value in each subsequent window.

Rayan of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Fulham and Bournemouth at Craven Cottage(Image: Getty)

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Rio Ngumoha is attracting interest from Bayern Munich this summer, but Andoni Iraola has shown why he needs the chance to work with the teenager before any transfer is even considered

04:00, 07 Jun 2026

Rio Ngumoha is attracting interest from Bayern Munich(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool didn’t offer much to get excited about during the 2025/26 season. Not since the days of Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated spell at Anfield was there such a feeling of crushing disappointment among supporters for what they were being offered up on a weekly basis.

If there was one ray of hope emerging from those dismal last few games, which felt as though they would go on forever, it was Rio Ngumoha. You only had to listen to the boos that greeted Arne Slot’s decision to substitute him against Chelsea to realize just what Liverpool has on its hands with the teenager.

While most of his teammates had supporters eyeing up the exits, Ngumoha gave them something to get them on the edge of their seats. Unsurprisingly, they weren’t the only ones to sit up and take notice.

At just 17, he’s already been recognized with a call-up for England’s pre-World Cup training camp. Although he won’t play a part in this summer’s tournament, he’s already well on the path to international stardom.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that he’s attracting interest from another of Europe’s titans then. Bayern Munich is keeping a very close eye on Ngumoha, with The Athletic revealing that the German giant is exploring a move.

Liverpool hasn’t been afraid to let go of some of its biggest academy stars over the years, even when supporters have expected them to make it at Anfield. The likes of Jarell Quansah, Bobby Clark, Tyler Morton and Ben Gannon-Doak have all left, and earned the Reds a pretty penny recently.

Rio Ngumoha is already on the way to international stardom(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA, The FA via Getty Images)

You’d expect Bayern would have to break the bank then if it wants Ngumoha, such is the hype surrounding him. We can only guess what that figure is though, considering Liverpool is not interested in selling him.

And rightly so. Yes, he is still a raw talent, but who isn’t at his age? The temptation to cash in and use the money to sign a ready-made star might be there, but the long-term benefits of keeping Ngumoha surely outweigh the short-term effect of selling him - especially with Andoni Iraola on his way.

While fans were left frustrated at times by Slot’s hesitance to give Ngumoha and other youngsters a chance, Iraola doesn’t seem to hold the same reservations.

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The Spaniard built quite the reputation for developing Bournemouth’s young prospects. Dean Huijsen earned himself a $67 million move to Real Madrid after just one season under his guidance, while the Cherries could be set to earn even more from Iraola’s proteges.

Eli Junior Kroupi grabbed 13 league goals in his first season on the south coast, and in the process broke the record for the most scored by a teenager in his debut campaign in Premier League history, surpassing Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane. Now, The Times reports are suggesting he could be worth as much as $133M.

Andoni Iraola has already shown what he could do for Rio Ngumoha(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)

Meanwhile, Rayan needed just half a season to make his mark, with five goals in 15 appearances after signing for Bournemouth in January. Now, with Liverpool among those said to be interested, the Brazilian could reportedly set clubs back as much as $174M.

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Those staggering figures demonstrate just what Iraola could do for Ngumoha if he gets the chance to work with him. Even just a year under his guidance could see his stock go through the roof.

Whether that would then change Liverpool’s mind on selling him further down the line remains to be seen, but for the time being, there’s only one response to Bayern’s interest - move along, he's not for sale.

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Tyler Adams confidently backed Liverpool to have a chance to win the Premier League under Andoni Iraola next season after praising his former Bournemouth boss, who replaced Arne Alot after two seasons

03:37, 07 Jun 2026

Tyler Adams believes Liverpool can win the Premier League title under his former head coach Andoni Iraola

There's no better review than one from someone who lived with the product every day, saw how it worked behind the scenes, and understood what made it different from everything else on the market.

After playing three seasons at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola, Tyler Adams is convinced that the Reds can 'absolutely' win next season's Premier League title. He spoke to the media after the USMNT's 2-1 friendly defeat to Germany.

The United States captain endorsed his former manager after Iraola moved on from the Cherries following a 6th-place table finish. Iraola was hired on a two-year deal and selected to replace Arne Slot after finishing just one position higher during his second year on the job.

Iraola could raid his old club for a player who many think could be Mohamed Salah's successor.

When asked directly whether Liverpool can win the Premier League under Iraola, Adams said, "Absolutely. Under how he plays the game, with the types of players that they have and the style that he's going to want to play, absolutely."

Coming from a player who has experienced Iraola's methods every day on the training ground, it was about as emphatic an endorsement as Liverpool could hope to receive. Adams has logged 3,859 minutes with seven goal contributions while playing under Iraola.

Iraola transformed the club with his squad finishing 12th in his debut season (2023-24), 9th the next, then 6th. This year's finish qualified the Cherries for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their 127-year history.

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The conversation turned toward Liverpool and Iraola's chances of succeeding at one of the world's biggest football clubs. Adams admitted Bournemouth players were disappointed with their manager, but he believes the move is a perfect fit.

"On Andoni, it's super, super exciting for him," Adams said. "We were disappointed and upset, obviously, but you come to terms with the decision that he made for himself, leaving Bournemouth."

"And then for an opportunity like this to pop up, I think he's going to do incredible things at Liverpool, his energy, the way that he plays football. Yeah, incredible character and incredible person."

Adams played under Iraola for three seasons

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Part of the conversation with Ben Jacobs focused on England's World Cup roster, as Adams' Bournemouth teammate Alex Scott traveled to America as one of four youth prospects selected by Thomas Tuchel to train. Scott has also lauded his ex-bosses' principles to an excited Liverpool fan base.

Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha was the only one to play in England's 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday. He became the nation's fifth-youngest international debut, while Scott watched with 19-year-olds Ethan Nwaneri and Josh King.

FIFA regulations allow nations to replace injured players with members of their provisional squad up to 24 hours before their first World Cup match, but Tuchel's full list was never made public.

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Mohamed Salah received a huge ovation from soccer fans in Cleveland during an international friendly against Brazil as Egypt prepares for the World Cup following his Liverpool departure

02:25, 07 Jun 2026

Mohamed Salah earned a hero's reception during Egypt's international friendly before the World Cup

Mohamed Salah's domestic and international soccer accomplishments have reached a point where he could probably sneeze and still steal the show as long as he's in the same room. His presence alone stole the show before he even reached the pitch during Egypt's World Cup warmup against Brazil.

The Liverpool legend came on as a substitute as Egypt fell 2-1 behind Bruno Guimaraes' early goal and a match-winner from Endrick. Salah wasn't injured but his omission from the starting lineup looked preventive with Egypt's World Cup campaign only nine days away.

Supporters in Cleveland were reacting every time Salah's face appeared on the stadium screens at Huntington Bank Field. His reception was compared to that of Hollywood stars before he even entered the game.

Salah also earned recognition for his mentorship role in Hamza Abdelkarim's development.

The reaction was clear in the 21st minute when Salah appeared on screen, just sitting in his training vest. Supporters responded again late in the opening half when cameras showed him smiling from the bench during the 45th minute before checking into the game.

Egypt entered the match having already shown encouraging signs ahead of the tournament. They previously drew 0-0 with Spain in March and defeated Russia 1-0 to build momentum before opening Group G play at the World Cup.

Salah will captain Egypt when they open Group G against Belgium on June 15 before facing New Zealand and Iran. The underdog African nation has the second-best odds of advancing beyond the group stage, behind Belgium.

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Salah's introduction arrived at the break after the 33-year-old replaced Haissem Hassan. His most notable opportunity came in the 58th minute when a right-footed effort from outside the penalty area was blocked by longtime teammate Alisson after being set up by Marwan Attia.

Although he was unable to find the net, the reception he received suggested supporters were simply happy to see him back on the field. The praise and appreciation for Salah online was just as strong as the response felt through the television.

One fan wrote, "Whole stadium started screaming when the camera showed him. He's got more motion than the entire Brazil squad put together." Another added that the response felt like Salah 'just stepped out of a Rolls-Royce.'

Salah was subbed into the game during minute 45

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Adoration came after Salah officially announced he would leave Liverpool early by cutting short the final year of his contract. The winger left the club with a bang and a subtle shot at Arne Slot's tactics before the coach was fired following a 5th-place league finish.

Salah's Anfield career ended on May 24 as their top goal scorer. His accomplishments include winning two Premier League titles, the 2018 Champions League, and four Golden Boot awards.

Salah is now weighing offers as a free agent. Reports have linked him to several European sides including Roma and Juventus, as well as several teams in Saudi Arabia.

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