Liverpool’s Training Tensions Debunked Ahead of PSG Clash

LIVERPOOL, England — March 10, 2025 — A lighthearted exchange between Liverpool FC stars Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold during a training session has been misconstrued as a serious confrontation ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

During an open training session at the AXA Training Centre on Monday, Salah and Alexander-Arnold were seen playfully shoving each other, prompting teammates Ibrahima Konate, Harvey Elliott, and Curtis Jones to intervene momentarily. Despite reports suggesting tensions between the two high-profile players, spectators noted that Salah was laughing throughout the incident, indicating a lack of genuine conflict.

Footage of the exchange led some media outlets to speculate about discord within the Liverpool squad, but sources close to the training ground characterized it as “light-hearted ribbing.” The players were later spotted joking together in the £50 million training facility, further dispelling any notions of a fallout.

“It was just a bit of fun,” said one source familiar with the team dynamics. “There’s nothing to see here; they are close friends.”

Head coach Arne Slot is preparing his squad for a crucial week that includes the Champions League second-leg clash with PSG, where Liverpool holds a slender 1-0 advantage. The team aims to secure a quarterfinal spot and lift the Carabao Cup on Sunday.

Slot acknowledged the need for improved performance, stating, “The result was ours; the performance was for them. Tomorrow, we want to play a different game.”

Looking ahead to the match at Anfield, Slot expects tough competition despite PSG’s youthful roster. “When you play Anfield against Liverpool you don’t need to motivate yourself that much; you have it already,” said Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the talented winger for PSG.

In their last meeting, PSG recorded 27 shots, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson making crucial saves to preserve the lead. Slot praised his defenders’ resilience while hinting at a more aggressive strategy for the second leg.

“We want to win every single game and have the ball as much as we can,” Slot said. “We know how vital this match is in our campaign.”

While the alleged confrontation between Salah and Alexander-Arnold occupied headlines briefly, both players’ camaraderie suggests a united front for Liverpool as they navigate a pivotal period in the season.