Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool is in doubt after a bombshell interview in which he expressed disappointment at being sidelined and suggested the club were using him as a scapegoat for their recent poor form. This comes after the Egyptian international was left on the bench for the third consecutive Premier League game in Saturday’s draw with Leeds United. Salah also hinted to reporters that Liverpool’s next game against Brighton could be his last, given the uncertainty about what will happen after AFCON.
Manager Arne Slott insisted Salah had shown positive reactions in training before the incident, but it appears he has reached a tipping point. According to a reporter from The Athletic, this pivotal moment happened on the Friday before the game against Leeds. The report suggests his team-mates noticed a change in Salah’s demeanor and “made up their minds”.
Friday was apparently the day the winger was informed he would once again be left out of the starting XI, a decision that reportedly caused great frustration.
More information about Salah’s future is expected to be revealed in the coming days, with Slott set to hold a press conference on Monday night ahead of the Champions League game against Inter Milan.
Salah’s participation in the match remains uncertain as the traveling squad has yet to be announced, and this controversy is likely to dominate the pre-match discussion.
The pressure is now mounting on Slott, who has won just one of his last six games in all competitions and whose manager is desperate for answers.
Despite winning the Premier League last season, some supporters have doubts about the 47-year-old’s future and Salah’s comments are unlikely to help restore confidence among the fan base.
“There is no relationship between us,” the forward said of the current situation with Slott. “We had a very good relationship and now all of a sudden we’re not.”
Salah has played 71 games under the Dutch manager, scoring 39 goals and providing 26 assists in all competitions, with his title-winning performance last season particularly impressive.
Slott now faces a clear test if he is to reverse Liverpool’s fortunes, having failed to establish either momentum or consistency in their recent performances.
“It’s really tough, but it’s not my problem,” the manager said when asked about the atmosphere in the dressing room after the stalemate against Leeds.
“It’s about what the players feel, what the fans feel and what everyone who loves this football club feels.
“I think we all feel the same way in this moment. But what I want everyone to see is that our players are fighting really, really, really hard and combining that with good football.
“We didn’t allow many chances today. We didn’t allow many chances and conceded three goals.”
