Mohamed Salah has revealed that his relationship with Arne Slott has broken down and hinted that next week’s match between Brighton and Hove Albion could be his last game for Liverpool. Despite making 53 consecutive appearances for the Reds, Salah was relegated to the bench for just three games before last week’s 2-0 win over West Ham.
He also did not feature in Saturday night’s match between Liverpool and Leeds United (3-3 draw). After the draw at Elland Road, Salah went on an explosive rant against Slott, which was also reported in the Echo and other media outlets. Here are all the words…
Salah said: “I don’t know what to say. It was kind of funny and I couldn’t believe it. It was a disappointing result for the team. We conceded a stupid goal. I was on the bench and couldn’t help my teammates. I couldn’t believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes.”
“This is the third time this has happened. I think this is the first time in my career. It’s very disappointing. I’ve done a lot for this club over the years, especially last season, and it seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.”
“That’s how I feel. Someone is trying to put all the responsibility on me. The club promised me a lot in the summer and now I’m on the bench so I can say they haven’t kept their promises. I had a good relationship (with Slott) but now I don’t have any. And I don’t know why. It seems like (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 if I play or not, I’m going to enjoy it. I’m just going to Anfield before the African Cup of Nations and say 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 their players. Now it’s like, ‘Mo is a problem in the team, throw him under the bus.’ I don’t think I’m the problem. I don’t fight every day just because I got the position. I’m not better than the club. I’m not better than anything. But I earned it.”
He 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 top scorer in the Premier League (the most recent Golden Boot winner). I won the league brilliantly.”
“Without a doubt, it hurts me. What I did, it hurts. I know the club very well and I’ve lived 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 a different direction.”
“I’ve done a lot for this club. I love the fans so much, I love the club. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Since I’ve been in the Premier League, I’ve scored more goals than anyone in this generation. I don’t think anyone else has scored more. I can give you an example. It’s ridiculous. Harry Kane didn’t score in 10 games (at Tottenham), but he might have scored in one or two. Everyone in the media was saying, ‘Harry’s definitely going to score,’ but now it’s, ‘Mo needs to score.’ ”
“I don’t know if someone is trying to get me sent off. Don’t put words in my mouth, please, just how it feels. I asked and there was no explanation. I knew I wasn’t going to play. I just accept it and swallow it. Yesterday Arn told me (I wasn’t playing). Yesterday we had a meeting. He knows how I feel. How bad would it be to have to answer that?”
“Even the question[do I regret signing in April]hurts, because I will never regret signing for this club. I thought I was going to sign here and finish my career. Now this is according to plan. In my mind, why does it have to end this way? Five months ago we won the award, so why are we going in this direction now? Not everyone on the team is like this, 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.”
