Mo Salah was on manager Arne Slott’s bench for the third consecutive game and did not feature in Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah has sensationally accused Liverpool of having been “thrown under the bus” as the Egyptian star declared that his relationship with head coach Arne Slott has completely broken down.
And the club’s third-leading scorer has hinted that next week’s visit to Anfield from Brighton & Hove Albion could be his last appearance for the Reds, with the January transfer window just around the corner and Saudi Professional League clubs reportedly showing interest.
Salah had started 53 consecutive Premier League games before last week’s 2-0 win over West Ham, but he has started on the bench in the last three games and only came on in the second half of Wednesday night’s 1-1 home draw with Sunderland.
And after watching once more from the bench as his team-mates took a two-goal lead in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Leeds at Elland Road, Salah had an explosive reaction to being sidelined for three consecutive games for the first time in his 420-game Liverpool career.
The ECHO was part of a small number of media outlets who interviewed Liverpool’s star players after the match. Below are some words from the remarkable post-game interview.
read more: Arne Slott points out responsibility for Liverpool’s struggles and points out why they can’t be “higher up” in the standingsread more: Liverpool’s familiar failure again as Leeds snatch thrilling draw – 6 talking points
“I don’t know what to say,” Salah said. “It’s kind of funny. I couldn’t believe it. It’s a disappointing result for the team. We conceded a stupid goal. I was on the bench so I couldn’t help my teammates.” I couldn’t believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. I think this is the first time in my career. It’s very unfortunate. I’ve done a lot for this club over the years, especially last season, it seems like the club threw me under the bus.
“That’s how I feel. Someone is trying to put all the blame on me. The club promised me a lot in the summer and now that I’m on the bench I can say they haven’t kept their promises.”
“I used to have a good relationship[with Slott]. Now we have nothing to do and I don’t know why. It seems[someone]doesn’t want me at the club. I called my dad and mom and told them to come to the Brighton game.”
“It doesn’t matter whether 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.”
“To be fair to me, it’s unacceptable. If I were anywhere else, every club would protect their players. Now it’s ‘Throw Mo under the bus because there’s a problem within the team.’
“I don’t think it’s a problem. I don’t fight for a position every day just because I’ve earned it. I’m not bigger than the club, I’m not better than anything. But I earned it.”
Salah, whose conversation with the media lasted about seven and a half minutes, added: “That’s the reality. You never know in football, but I can’t accept this situation. I’ve done a lot for this club.”
“I’m sorry, I love Erling Haaland. I love him, but I’m the current Premier League top scorer (recent Golden Boot winner). I won the league brilliantly. Absolutely, it hurts me. What I’ve done, it hurts. I know the club well, I’ve been here for many years. Tomorrow Jamie Carragher will criticize me, but that’s fine.”
“Is there any interest from Saudi Arabia? I don’t want to answer that question because the club will take me in another direction. I’ve done a lot for this club. I love the fans very much, I love the club. I don’t know what will happen next.” Since I came to the Premier League, I have scored more goals than anyone in this generation. I don’t think anyone else has scored more points. Can I give you an example? It’s ridiculous, Harry Kane didn’t score in 10 games (for Tottenham) and probably scored in one or two. Everyone in the media was saying, “Harry will definitely score.” Now it’s “Mo needs to be on the bench.”
“I don’t know if someone is trying to get me sent off. Please don’t put words in my mouth, it’s just a feeling. I asked, but there was no explanation. I knew I wasn’t going to play. Just accept and swallow.” That’s what Arne told me yesterday (I wasn’t playing). There was a meeting yesterday. He knows how I feel. How bad is it that I have to answer that?
Should Mo Salah leave Liverpool? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
“Even the question[of whether I regret signing in April]hurts. I never regret signing for this club. I was planning to sign here and finish my career. Now it’s not going according to plan.” In my head, why does it have to end like this? Five months ago we were winning awards, so why are we going in this direction now? Not everyone on the team is in this shape, but I’m the one who has to protect myself.
“It has nothing to do with (Slot). We had a very good relationship. We don’t have anything to do with it now. No, no, I don’t feel like I let my teammates down, they know how much I love them. They know how much I support them before the game and after the game.”
“I’m an experienced player and I’ve been in their position. I always support them and always give them experience. But no, they have nothing to do with that situation. Even they support me so much, so there’s just a lot of love and respect between us as players.”
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