While no mainstream outlet has explicitly confirmed a training ground clash involving Harvey Elliott storming out, as previously speculated, the broader narrative of tension in the camp aligns with whispers of discontent among fringe players. This comes as Liverpool prepare for the 2025/26 Premier League and Champions League campaigns following their 2024/25 title win.
Slot’s training regimen, described as “tactically demanding” and involving frequent double sessions, emphasizes possession, high pressing, and precise positioning.
Conor Bradley noted the intensity, stating, “We probably had a meeting or two every day… to understand what the gaffer wants,” while Jarell Quansah, before his departure to Bayer Leverkusen, highlighted the “tireless” tactical work.
Players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Ryan Gravenberch have thrived under Slot’s structured 4-2-4 formation and high-pressing system, with Salah’s 32 goals and 23 assists in 2024/25 and Gravenberch’s ever-present role (2,928 Premier League minutes) showcasing their adaptation.
However, sources indicate that some squad members, particularly those with limited minutes, are struggling with the relentless demands.
Harvey Elliott, who started only two Premier League games last season due to a three-month foot injury and competition from new signing Florian Wirtz, is reportedly among those feeling the strain.
Posts on X and earlier reports suggest Elliott’s frustration, with Newcastle and West Ham linked to a potential move, though no concrete offers have materialized.
Waturu Endo and Federico Chiesa, who also saw minimal Premier League starts in 2024/25, are said to feel overwhelmed by Slot’s meticulous expectations, with sources claiming the Dutchman’s blunt feedback—exemplified by his critique of Salah’s warm-up habits—can feel unrelenting.
The divide is partly attributed to Slot’s shift from Jürgen Klopp’s emotionally driven, counter-pressing style to a more calculated, possession-based approach. While Klopp’s high-octane sessions relied on physicality, Slot’s focus on “tactical traps” and precise body positioning requires intense mental engagement, which some players find exhausting.
A source cited by the Liverpool Echo noted that “not everyone’s bought into the constant tactical meetings,” particularly younger or fringe players competing against established stars like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
The emotional weight of Diogo Jota’s tragic death in July 2025 may also contribute to the squad’s uneven morale, with Van Dijk’s light-hearted moment with Joe Gomez in training offering a rare glimpse of levity.
Despite the tension, Slot’s methods have yielded results, with Liverpool’s 15 wins in 17 games across all competitions by November 2024 and a Premier League title. Recent signings like Wirtz (£116 million), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5 million), Milos Kerkez (£40 million), and Hugo Ekitike (£79 million) have bolstered the squad, but the full non-homegrown player quota necessitates sales to register them.
Elliott’s potential exit, alongside Darwin Núñez’s possible move to Napoli or Al-Hilal amid his “sadness” comment, could ease financial and squad pressures but risks disrupting depth. John Aldridge’s earlier plea to retain Núñez and Luis Diaz underscores the danger of losing key players, yet the pursuit of Alexander Isak suggests Slot is prioritizing elite additions.
The squad’s mixed response to Slot’s intensity reflects a transitional phase, with stars embracing the challenge while others grapple with limited roles.
As Liverpool gear up for their opener against Tottenham, Slot’s ability to manage these tensions while integrating new signings will be crucial to sustaining their title challenge.
