To put it mildly, Mo Salah is short of supporters at this moment in time. The Liverpool star is very much enemy number one at Liverpool.
His public comments after the draw at Leeds have caused the situation that, perhaps, he and his agent were looking for. And while most have sided with Liverpool, Salah is out there on his own.
There have been some not toeing the party line of course. And Salah’s former manager Ivica Todorov is one of them. He’s been speaking to Africa Foot about the Liverpool star today.
He managed Salah back in the early days of his career. Indeed, he was the first to give a young Salah his chance at Arab Contractors, also known as El Mokawloon.
The Liverpool star started his career with the Egyptian side, joining their youth team at just 14, spending his formative years there before making his professional debut three years later. He remained there until 2012, when his career in Europe began.
He would only make six appearances under Todorov in total, but that hasn’t stopped Todorov from looking to defend his former player as the Liverpool drama plays out.
“I know Mo Salah well. I don’t doubt for a moment his commitment, his work ethic, his lifestyle,” he said.
“He’s a great professional. But time passes, he’s 33 years old, he’s been at Liverpool for more than eight years. I get the impression that Arne Slot no longer really trusts him.
“It’s going to be difficult for the two men to mend fences. Liverpool is struggling in the Premier League. I don’t understand why the coaching staff is depriving themselves of such an important player to try and get out of it.
“There aren’t many clubs in the world that can offer him a higher salary than he earns at Liverpool.
“The Saudis can, but does he want to play in a league that? While it has improved over the last three years, isn’t as competitive as those in England or Spain?”