Liverpool’s worsening season has set the stage for one of the most turbulent episodes of Mohamed Salah’s nine-year Anfield career. The tension culminated in a rare and explosive public interview on Saturday. His remarks have since divided opinion across the football world.
Liverpool has seemingly settled on Mohammed Salah as the scapegoat for their ill-fated Premier League title defence.
However, the former Anfield favourite is not going down without a fight. Following a third consecutive match warming the bench, the forward finally vented his frustration: “I’m very, very disappointed, to be fair. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season,” Salah told reporters. “Now I’m sitting on the bench, and I don’t know why. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.”
The club leadership also came in for condemnation: “I got a lot of promises in the summer, and so far I am on the bench for three games, so I can’t say they keep the promise,” he said. “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot retaliated by omitting Salah from the UEFA matchday squad to Inter Milan. Slot said he was “surprised” by the interview but insisted the club had “reacted clearly”.
The interview has ignited fierce debate. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher labelled Salah’s comments a “disgrace,” saying it was a calculated attempt “to cause maximum damage.” Wayne Rooney argued Salah was “destroying his legacy,” while Steven Gerrard struck a more conciliatory tone, saying he respected Salah’s desire to play but warned he had gone too far.
Amid the tension, prominent voices from Africa and Egypt have mounted a defence of the embattled forward.
Former Super Eagles captain and manager Sunday Oliseh urged perspective. In countering Thierry Henry’s condemnation of Salah, He said in a post on X:
With all due respect! Salah has a right to be unhappy at his situation more than Henry had at Barcelona, Abeg leave our African brotha alone … lol.”
Egypt’s national team has rallied behind Salah ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. “Players like him do not get benched,” said striker Ahmed Kouka. “Mo is a leader, a legend. Moments like this pass; his greatness stays.” Coach Hossam Hassan praised Salah as “a symbol of perseverance,”
Even former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, speaking on a BBC documentary, underlined Salah’s unique status. “If you have a player with speed, technique, finishing, he’s super special,” Klopp said. “You have problems with Mo Salah if he’s not playing… but that’s because he’s desperate to help.”
Saudi Pro League chief executive Omar Mugharbel recently confirmed that clubs in the kingdom are eager to move for the Egypt captain. “Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players.
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