Dietmar Hamann urges Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to help resolve Mohamed Salah issue

Former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann believes there is still a chance to repair the strained relationship between Mohamed Salah and Liverpool, but insists key figures inside the dressing room must step up.

Hamann thinks the situation could even end with “both parties going their separate ways” when the winter transfer window opens if things do not improve.​

Salah was benched for three straight games against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds, then ignited controversy after the 3-3 draw at Elland Road by accusing the club of having “thrown him under the bus” and saying his relationship with coach Arne Slot had collapsed. He was then left out of the squad that beat Inter 1-0 in the Champions League, before holding clear-the-air talks with Slot and returning as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Brighton.​

Hamann told the Liverpool Echo: “Mohamed Salah coming on early (against Brighton) calmed things down a bit… now both parties have three or four weeks to find an agreement that suits everyone.” He criticised Salah’s claim that he had already earned his place, saying the Egyptian must “lead by example” and has not performed at the required level since last Christmas.​

Hamann added that if Salah cannot accept being benched occasionally and keeps speaking about a lack of support from the coach, then “the solution might be for both sides to go their own way.” He expects most fans, despite adoring Salah, to ultimately back Slot. Hamann also called on senior figures inside the squad, especially captain Virgil van Dijk, to intervene, saying such a leader can resolve the dispute by directly asking Salah what his real problem is, reminding him he has only started on the bench for “two or three games.”