Mohamed Salah made scathing comments after being left on the bench for Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds United, with former team-mate Dejan Lovren showing support for his old pal
(Image: PA)
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Dejan Lovren has offered his support to close friend Mohamed Salah following his explosive Liverpool remarks. The Egyptian footballer's fiery comments after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United, where he remained on the bench, have sparked a divide among Anfield supporters.
The Croatian has displayed public support after the 33-year-old's divisive comments following a third start from the bench in seven days. The exclusion led to a stunning interview from the Liverpool icon which has sparked criticism from ex-defender, Jamie Carragher.
The Dutch manager's team is set to face Inter Milan in a crucial Champions League match, but this Italian showdown comes after a turbulent 48 hours. As a result, Salah was excluded from the squad after featuring in open training.
Lovren has seemingly sided with Salah following his shocking remarks during a rare interview with journalists at Elland Road. The former Liverpool defender sent a tweet to Salah featuring a red heart emoji, as the Reds legend faces scrutiny for his statements.
In his tirade, Salah claimed that he had been 'thrown under the bus' by Liverpool.
Inclusion in the squad to face Brighton remains uncertain, in what will be his last match before the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Salah is expected to link up with his Egypt squad on December 15, a day after Liverpool's home clash against the Seagulls. Yet questions remain over whether he'll feature again after admitting his relationship with the Premier League-winning boss has deteriorated.
The revelation has also cast doubt over his long-term future at the club, with Saudi Arabian clubs reportedly circling ahead of the January transfer window. Carragher didn't hold back in his criticism of Salah's response to being benched for a third consecutive match, declaring: "I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game.
"Whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he's done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it's choreographed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position. He's chosen this weekend to do this now and he's waited, I think, for a bad result for Liverpool.
"You can see the last-minute goal, Liverpool supporters, the manager, everyone involved in the club feels like they're in the gutter at the moment and he's chosen that time to go for the manager and maybe try and get him sacked.
"The club have made the right decision in terms of [Salah] not going abroad now. Whether he will play for Liverpool again, I don't know. I hope he does, because he is one of the greatest players we've ever had. But if you continue like that and make statements like that if he doesn't play, who knows?"
Mohamed Salah during a Liverpool training session at the AXA on Monday
Mohamed Salah has received support from close friend and former Liverpool teammate Dejan Lovren.
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Speaking last year, Lovren defended Salah after the Egyptian spoke to the media to heap pressure on the club during a prolonged contract saga.
The forward at the top of his game, steering Liverpool to the Premier League title, and held all the cards as the Reds risked losing their star attacker.
Lovren has claimed previously that Salah is not respected enough on Merseyside. Speaking earlier this year, he said: “We are still in touch. We talk every now and then, yes.
“I have to be careful what I say now, because I know a lot of things. Honestly, I don’t know the exact numbers, but whatever he’s asking for, I think he deserves it. It’s simple, this guy is doing his job on the pitch.
“Don’t look at his age, some will say he’ll be 33, but look at Ronaldo, he’s 40 and still playing. Mohamed Salah is still scoring goals, he’s in great physical and mental shape. He’s still playing for the national team, so what’s the problem? He’s seven or eight years younger [than Ronaldo]. So what’s the problem with Salah? Nobody can find an answer, that’s why I find it difficult.
“I can talk in more detail. Salah believes that there are things missing from the club side, and I hope they’ll be resolved soon. But the current reality is that he’s closer to leaving than staying.
“Everyone wants him to stay, and I personally want him to stay. I called him one day and said: 'Mo, you have to think about yourself. Look at everything you've given this club and what you can still give.'
“In the end, I came to the conclusion that the club doesn't respect him enough, or at least not as much as they think they deserve, but that's another side of the story, it's all about what goes on behind the scenes.
“Everyone can agree when they look at the numbers, there is no player who has the statistics like Mohamed Salah, not only this season, but over the last 5-6 seasons in a row, they are not just amazing numbers, they are crazy.
“I think he does not get enough attention despite these numbers, because if it was Messi or Ronaldo, we would see talk every day about why his contract was not renewed and why the right offer was not made to him, but unfortunately, I think Mohamed Salah does not get this attention.”