Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans after a Premier League draw against Leeds United at Elland Road. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans after a Premier League draw against Leeds United at Elland Road. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah claimed that he has been scapegoated over Liverpool’s form and he has found an unlikely ally.
The fall-out between Liverpool and Mohamed Salah isn’t the sort that will be forgotten, or forgiven, overnight.
Salah took aim at Slot and hinted that he could leave Anfield as interest from Saudi Arabia ramps up, even if there has been nothing concrete, so far. The Reds have been having crisis talks to decide what to do with the veteran forward, and the 33-year old’s impending departure for the African Cup of Nations is probably a blessing in disguise. He will miss key games in his absence although he might already have kicked his last ball for the club, if the damage can’t be repaired.
John Terry backs Mo Salah over Liverpool claim
The infamous interview has drawn comment from across the footballing glove, surprisingly though, Salah has earned support from an unlikely source, former five-time Premier League title winner and Chelsea captain, John Terry. Taking to his TikTok channel @johnterry26, Terry defended Salah, claiming that the Liverpool winger has a valid point: "Do you think he's been made a scapegoat or been made one by the Liverpool manager?
“I think he'd be the first one to say he's been out of form this season, but I have to agree with him as well. I think he has been made a scapegoat a little bit. I think a lot of Liverpool players, including himself, have been out of form recently. And to leave him out - I'm not being funny, if there's one player that can win you a game, it's going to be him, so it's a big call from the manager.
“Also, when you keep him on side, when you bring experienced players in the office and give them the reasons why they are being left out, you have nowhere to go but being shown that respect from the manager is really important."
Pundits not happy with how Salah has behaved
Not everyone agrees with Salah though with BBC pundit Chris Sutton particularly scathing in his assessment on X: “Embarrassing from Mo Salah and disrespectful to his teammates and his manager. Salah is no different from any other player … if a player’s form drops as Salah’s has he is the same as anyone else and has to accept being benched… but he thinks he’s too good to be benched sadly.”
Someone who knows only too well what goes on behind the scenes at Liverpool is Danny Murphy who, speaking on Match of the Day, thinks that Salah could have dealt with things differently: “I think you can be emotional, you can be angry and frustrated. He's done wonderful things for the football club, (but) you have to keep it within the four walls of the football club.
“Knock on the manager's door, go and see the CEO, the owner, do what you've got to do. By doing what he's done he's causing the team a problem, he's causing the manager a problem and he's making it all about him. You just can't do it.”
The truth, is somewhere in the middle. Salah isn’t the problem, however, there is no doubt that he could have dealt with things better, considering his experience and standing in the game.
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