Mohamed Salah replaced Joe Gomez in the first half against Brighton and received a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd. The Egyptian talisman has been named as a substitute in four successive Premier League games amid ongoing friction with Liverpool head coach Arne Slott.
After being dropped to the bench against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds, and not featuring at all against the Hammers and Los Blancos, Salah has given a scathing assessment of his treatment by the Dutch manager, insisting their relationship has completely broken down.
Speaking after the 3-3 draw at Elland Road, 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 on the bench for 90 minutes.”
“This is the third time this has happened. I think it’s the first time in my career. It’s very disappointing. 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 I don’t. I don’t know why. It seems like (someone) doesn’t want me at the club.”
Salah made a promising return from the bench against Brighton and was immediately introduced as Dominik Szoboszlai moved to right-back following Gomez’s injury.
Slott is hopeful that Salah will remain at his disposal in the long term despite his ties to the Saudi Professional League, and is optimistic that Gomez’s injury is not serious.
With fellow right-backs Jeremy Frimpong and Conor Bradley sidelined this season, Szoboszlai will be filling in in another new role.
