Mohamed Salah has made an unusual claim that he was “thrown under the bus” by his club Liverpool, pointing a harsh finger at manager Arne Slott and teasing him about leaving the club in January. Salah was an unused substitute in the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday night. This is the second time in the last three Premier League games that he has been on the bench for the full 90 minutes. He came on as a substitute against Sunderland in midweek, but was substituted at half-time against Liverpool when they needed a goal.
And Salah hasn’t taken his sudden drop in stature well on Merseyside. “It’s very, very disappointing. I’ve done a lot for this club and everyone can see that over the years and especially last season. It looks like the club are throwing me under the bus, that’s how I feel. It’s clear that someone is trying to put all the blame on me,” he said at Elland Road. Salah has revealed that he feels his relationship with manager Slott has broken down as he is under pressure. The Egyptian is used to being a mainstay at Liverpool, but the Dutchman has been left out of the squad at a time when the Premier League champions are desperately trying to add to their winning streak.
The 33-year-old, who only signed a new two-year contract in April, added: “I have said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, but suddenly we no longer have a relationship. I don’t know why. It seems like someone doesn’t want me at the club. That’s not acceptable to me. I don’t understand, I don’t understand why it always happens to me.”
“If it was somewhere else, I think the club would protect the player. I don’t know why I’m in the situation I am now, but that’s how I see it. It’s like throwing him under the bus because he’s a problem in the team right now, but I don’t think there’s a problem. I’ve done a lot for this club to get the respect that I want to get and I don’t have to fight for my position every day because I’ve earned it.”
“I had a meeting with the manager. He knows how I feel. I was planning to renew here and finish my career, but this didn’t go as planned.”
The winger made 52 appearances during Liverpool’s title-winning season last year, scoring an impressive 34 goals and providing 23 assists. This season, he has played in 19 games and has only five goals and three assists. However, he is one of the Reds’ all-time great players and the third highest scorer in Reds history, just 30 points behind the legendary Roger Hunt.
However, Salah has even hinted that Brighton’s visit to Anfield next weekend could be his last game for Liverpool. He will then play for Egypt in the mid-season African Cup of Nations, and has hinted he could leave the Merseyside club in the January transfer window.
“I called my mum and dad and told them I want them to come to the Brighton game. It doesn’t matter if I play or not, I’m going to enjoy it. I’m just going to Anfield before the Africa Cup of Nations and saying goodbye to the fans because you never know what’s going to happen when you’re there.”
“I don’t accept that being fair. If I were anywhere else, every club would protect a player. Now it’s ‘Mo is a problem in the team, throw him under the bus’. I don’t think there’s a problem. Just because I got the position doesn’t mean I’m fighting every day. I’m not better than the club. I’m not better than anything. But I earned it.”
“It really hurts when you think about what I’ve done for the club. You can imagine, really. You go from home to the club and you don’t know if you’re starting or not. I know the club very well and I’ve been here for many years. Tomorrow (Jamie) Carragher will go for me many times and that’s fine.”
“Ever since I came to the Premier League, I’ve been at this club and I’ve scored more goals than anyone in this generation. I don’t think anyone has scored more goals and provided more assists than me. Even in the Premier League as a whole. If I were anywhere else, everyone would go to the media and defend the players. I’m the only one in this situation.”
“Can I give you an example? It’s ridiculous, but I’m sorry. I remember a while ago, Harry Kane hadn’t scored in 10 games and everyone in the media was like, ‘Oh, Harry’s definitely going to score.'” When it comes to Mo, everyone thinks, “He needs to be on the bench.” Sorry Harry! ”
