Champions League Shock: Ekitike Slams Salah After Liverpool’s Istanbul Collapse
The atmosphere at Rams Park was nothing short of chaotic, and it seems the fallout extended beyond the 1-0 scoreline as Liverpool suffered a disappointing defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League Round of 16. Summer signing Hugo Ekitike, quickly becoming a fan favorite, reportedly expressed intense frustration with teammate Mohamed Salah, calling for decisive action after the match.
Salah was substituted in the 60th minute following a largely ineffective performance, while Ekitike, who has been in sensational form since his £79 million move from Frankfurt, allegedly vented his anger in the tunnel. The young striker reportedly described Salah as “dead weight” and a liability to the team’s progress under Arne Slot’s management.
Ekitike’s outburst was reportedly blunt: “Everyone else is giving everything on the pitch, improving and showing fight… except him! He’s been a liability from start to finish, and the team had to fix his mistakes all game. It’s time to be honest—he shouldn’t be at this club anymore. We can’t drag dead weight while the rest push forward.” The comments came amid Ekitike’s impressive tally of 16 goals this season.
Statistics from the Istanbul clash painted a grim picture for Salah. He registered zero touches in the opposition box, failed all four of his dribble attempts, and has now gone ten matches without scoring—the longest goal drought of his Liverpool career. His defensive contributions were also lacking, leaving teammates exposed and amplifying Ekitike’s frustration.
Fans have quickly rallied behind Ekitike, with the hashtag #EkitikeIsRight trending on X (formerly Twitter). Many supporters believe Salah, despite his legendary status, is no longer the player Liverpool needs, calling for the club to consider moving him on. Viral posts highlighted the visible disparity between Ekitike’s energy and Salah’s subdued presence on the pitch.
The situation places Arne Slot in a precarious position during his 100th game as Liverpool manager. With key players injured or at risk of suspension, he must carefully manage the tension between his star striker and a rising talent in Ekitike ahead of the return leg at Anfield on March 18. The club’s board is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, leaving fans to wonder whether Liverpool will side with youth or legacy.
Ultimately, the debate now centers on whether Salah has truly become a liability at Anfield—or if Ekitike’s outspoken criticism crossed the line in targeting a club icon.
