How Mohamed Salah's Crown as First to Arrive at Liverpool Training Is Beginning to Topple

Published: February 20, 2026 | Rousing the Kop

Mohamed Salah has long been celebrated as the epitome of professionalism at Liverpool FC, often the first player to arrive at the AXA Training Centre, setting an example for his teammates under managers Jürgen Klopp and now Arne Slot. However, recent observations suggest his unchallenged status is slipping, with two teammates now rivaling him for the earliest arrival.[1]

Traditionally, Salah's punctuality—arriving as early as 7:30 AM—earned him praise and became a symbol of his dedication amid contract extension talks and stellar performances. Yet, insiders report that in recent weeks, midfield dynamo Stefan Bajcetic and versatile defender Conor Bradley have been spotted pulling into the car park before the Egyptian king. Bajcetic, the 22-year-old Spaniard thriving after injury recovery, arrives around 7:15 AM to focus on gym work and tactical prep. Bradley, the 23-year-old Northern Irishman, matches this, often joining Bajcetic for extra sessions, impressing Slot with their hunger.[1]

This shift coincides with Liverpool's resurgent form: unbeaten in 12 games across competitions, they sit atop the Premier League after a 4-0 thrashing of Leeds and boast four Champions League wins from five. Salah himself returned to training amid drama, arriving around 9:30 AM post-explosive comments accusing Slot of throwing him "under the bus" after being benched. While he trained ahead of the Milan clash, his later arrivals—compared to the manager's 8:30 AM—highlight the changing dynamic.[1][2]

Fans and pundits view this positively, signaling a squad-wide culture of excellence under Slot. Salah, still Liverpool's third-highest scorer with 250 goals, remains pivotal despite a dip (five goals this season). Yet, as Bajcetic and Bradley step up, Salah's "crown" is toppling, fostering healthy competition that could propel Liverpool toward another title tilt.[2][3]

Key Implications:

• Boosts team morale and depth.
• Slot's influence embedding Klopp-era standards.
• Salah adapting to shared leadership.

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