Mohamed Salah has launched an explosive attack on Liverpool to leave his future at the club in doubt. The Egyptian star, who is regarded as a genuine Reds legend, has fallen out of favour under Arne Slot. Having started 53 consecutive Premier League games before last week’s 2-0 win over West Ham, Salah has now been benched for the last three fixtures.
Salah was an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday evening, but attracted headlines for an explosive interview in the mixed zone after the match in which he hit out at Arne Slot and claimed he has been “thrown under the bus”.
Here’s every word of what Salah said about his Liverpool future.
Every Word Mohamed Salah Said On Liverpool Future
Speaking in the mixed zone at Elland Road, Salah said: “I don’t know what to say. It’s kind of funny, I couldn’t believe it. It’s a disappointing result for us as a team. We conceded silly goals. I could not help my team-mates because I am on the bench.
“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think. I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.
“That’s how I feel it. Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.
“I used to have a good relationship (with Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. Seems like someone does not want me in the club. I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game.
“It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it. I am just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.
“It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else,every club would protect its players. Now it’s: ‘Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team’. I don’t think I am a problem. I am not fighting for my position every day because I have earned it. I am not bigger than the club. I am not bigger than anything. But I have earned it.”
Salah added: “It is what it is. In football you never know but I don’t accept this situation. I have done so much for this club.
“I am sorry, I love Erling Haaland, I love him but I am the current top scorer in the Premier League (most recent Golden Boot winner). I won the league in style. Absolutely, it hurts me. What I have done, it hurts., I know the club well, I have been here for many years. Tomorrow, Jamie Carragher is going to criticise me but that’s fine.
“Is there interest from Saudi Arabia? I don’t want to answer that question because the club will take me in a different direction. I have done so much for this club. I love the fans so much and love the club, I don’t know what is next. I am scoring more than anyone in this generation since I came to the Premier League. I don’t think anyone else scored more. Can I give an example? It’s silly., Harry Kane was not scoring for 10 games [at Tottenham], maybe got one or two. Everyone in the media was: ‘Harry will score for sure.’ Now it is: ‘Mo needs to be on the bench.’
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Mohamed Salah Record |
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Games |
420 |
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Goal |
250 |
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Assists |
116 |
“I don’t know if someone wants me out. Don’t put words in my mouth, please. it’s just how it feels. I asked but I didn’t see an explanation. I knew I wasn’t going to play. It’s just take it and swallow it. In my head, why should it end this way? Five months ago I was winning awards, now why go in this direction? Everyone in the team is not in this form but I am the one who has to defend himself.
“There is no relationship [with Slot]. It was a very good relationship. Now there is no relationship. No, no, I don’t feel let down by my team-mates, these guys, they know how much I love them. They know how much I support them, even inside before the game, after the game.
“I’m an experienced player, I’ve been in their position. I always support them, I always give them experience. But no, no, the players they’re not connected to the situation at. Even they support me so much so there’s just much love between us as players and respect.”
Salah’s comments after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United are nothing less than explosive and it is Arne Slot who will tasked with picking up the pieces. The Egyptian star’s claims about his relationship with Slot will not go down well with the Dutch boss under increasing pressure as the Reds boss following another disappointing result that has left them just four wins from 15.
It’s difficult to predict how this situation is going to play out but it feels like Anfield is only big enough for one person — Salah or Slot.
While Slot played a massive role in last season’s Premier League title success, Salah’s role as a genuine Liverpool legend means that surely supporters are going to be siding with the forward. The 33-year-old has scored 250 goals and provided 116 assists in 420 appearances for the Reds, making him the third-highest goalscorer in the club’s history.
This may well prove to be the end of Salah as a Liverpool player. If it is, there’s no doubt that he will leave as a true club icon. As for Slot, if he’s responsible for driving a club legend out of the club then the pressure from fans around his position is going to get very, very uncomfortable.
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