Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has told his team-mates that no one is entitled to preferential treatment, just days before Mohamed Salah suggested he should not compete for a starting spot. Salah was controversially left on the bench by manager Arne Slott for the third game in a row during Saturday night’s thrilling draw with Premier League leaders Leeds United. The Liverpool striker told reporters that he accused the club of “throwing him under the bus” and suggested next weekend’s game against Brighton could be his farewell game.
Salah also insisted he should be automatically selected based on his past contributions to Liverpool despite his recent struggles, saying: “I’ve earned my place so I don’t have to fight for my place every day. I’m not better than anyone but I’ve earned my position and that’s football.”
However, Van Dijk seems to have a different view.
Asked if Salah’s omission from the starting XI in the draw against Sunderland should send a signal to the rest of the squad, Van Dijk replied: “That’s always been the case. There’s no unlimited credit, everyone has to perform.”
“Mo has done that and the manager has made that decision in the last two games and we all want the best for the club.
“Mo is a great player and has consistently shown that, so I’m sure he’ll continue to be a big part of what we’re trying to achieve.
“But we’re all trying to find consistency and he needs us to be at our best and we need him too and we’re all trying to find that. He’s still a great player and we still have to remember that there’s a reason why he’s been so successful at the club and we have to respect that.”
“I need him as one of my leaders. I’m not worried. He’s disappointed, but that’s completely normal. If you don’t get disappointed when you don’t play two games in a row, then you have a problem as well.”
It is unclear whether Salah will play for Liverpool again under manager Slott after he told journalists that their relationship had completely broken down.
The two-time Premier League winner said: “I have said several times that I have a good relationship with the manager, but now suddenly we no longer have a relationship. I don’t know why.”
“I feel like the club is throwing me under the bus, that’s how I feel,” Salah continued. “I think it’s clear that someone is trying to put all the blame on me.”
