Paul Merson and Clinton Morrison clashed over the Mohamed Salah situation on Saturday’s Sky Sports soccer show. The Liverpool star landed himself in the mud last week when he delivered a harsh verdict against Arne Slott, claiming their relationship was broken.
The comments came after Salah was placed on the bench in recent games against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds, and did not feature in two of those games. After last Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Leeds, Salah spoke to journalists about being left out of the starting XI in the slot.
He said, “I don’t know what to say. It was kind of funny and 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. This is the third time I’ve done this. I think it’s the first time in my career. I’m very disappointed. I’ve done a lot for this club over the years, especially last season. It’s 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 there’s nothing to do with it. I don’t know why. It’s like someone doesn’t want me at the club.”
Ahead of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton, the Football Saturday Committee discussed Salah’s scathing assessment of head coach and his attitude upon arriving at Anfield this weekend.
Salah was seen walking onto the field with a stern look on his face, but many of his teammates around him were smiling. And Melson was quick to claim the forward was asserting himself with his frosty admission.
He said, “When he did the interview, it was in the moment. He was in the moment, he was frustrated, he was in the moment. This is not a moment, this is a show.”
“This is a show. He can choose what’s going to happen from now on. The moment he did that, it was, ‘Bang! I’m pissed, I said something.'” Maybe that shouldn’t have been said. it’s not. He knew the other day that he wasn’t on the team. He must have had a chat. Then you’ll be like, “Wait a minute, I have to go in…” ”
But Morrison was quick to defend Salah, insisting he was not the only player to have looked depressed when he arrived at the ground, given the club’s poor form of late. He insisted: “Show me all the players that came out of that coach.
“I can guarantee you that none of the players were smiling. It’s Mo Salah, so he’s eating a lot.”
Merson shouted back, “No, no, no,” but presenter Simon Thomas, sensing tensions, intervened and interrupted the conversation, redirecting the program elsewhere.
Despite starting on the bench against Brighton, Salah replaced Joe Gomez midway through the first half as Dominik Szoboszlai moved into the right-back position.
His entrance onto the pitch was greeted with warm applause from Liverpool fans.
Liverpool eventually won 2-0 against Brighton, with Hugo Ekitike scoring his second goal either side of the interval and Salah providing the assist for the second goal.
