Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher didn't mince his words when analyzing Mohamed Salah's fiery social media post that hit out at Reds coach Arne Slot
19:18, 18 May 2026Updated 19:23, 18 May 2026
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher is never shy about criticizing Mohammed Salah(Image: Getty Images)
It was inevitable that former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher would respond to Mohammed Salah's lengthy social media post that subtly criticized coach Arne Slot.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football ahead of Arsenal vs Burnley, Carragher admitted that he "wasn't surprised" by Salah's statement and he always knew "another bomb" was coming from the three-time Premier League Player of the Year winner. Carragher went on to compare Salah's recent comments to those Cristiano Ronaldo made on his exit from Manchester United, before calling the Egyptian international "selfish."
“On this show less than two years ago, I called him selfish for doing an interview, and that rings true again," the ex-Reds defender said.
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"Liverpool have a really important week this week, still not qualified for the Champions League, and it should be about Liverpool FC, not Salah FC, but unfortunately, it’s going to be about Mohamed Salah," Carragher added.
Last Friday's 4-2 loss to Aston Villa means Liverpool must get a win against Brentford on Sunday at Anfield to confirm a top-five finish and Champions League places.
Now, sixth place in the Premier League table could also become a gateway into the premier European competition if Aston Villa beat Freiburg in the Europa League Final on Wednesday. Additionally, a loss by Bournemouth to title-chasing Manchester City on Tuesday will clinch Liverpool's spot in the Champions League before the Brentford showdown.
Mohamed Salah
Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah have long had a frosty relationship(Image: Getty Images)
What did Salah say? The nine-year Reds veteran posted a lengthy statement on X, admitting the club's recent form is "painful" and that he wants to see Liverpool return to "heavy metal football.
"I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions." Salah wrote. "It took hard work, and I always did everything I could to help the club get there."
"Nothing makes me prouder than that. Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies."
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That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it."
"Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games. Liverpool will always be a club that means a great deal to me and to my family. I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on. As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen."
Carragher added that he thinks Salah's statement guarantees that the Egyptian will play over the weekend against Brentford because "If he doesn’t give him the send-off, I think the fans will turn on Arne Slot even more."
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher doesn't think Arne Slot is in a position of strength(Image: Getty Images)
"Now, if playing Mo Salah at the weekend gives Liverpool the best chance of winning the game, you have to pick him," Carrahger said of Sunday's must-win matchup.
"I’ve criticized Mo Salah in the first answer about being selfish. Arne Slot can’t be selfish, and he has to think of the club, what’s best for the club. If Liverpool need a result against Brentford because Bournemouth get a result and do well against City, then he has to pick him if he thinks he is in the best team."
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However, there is a scenario where Carragher doesn't think Salah should play. "If Liverpool has already qualified for the Champions League, that might be different. Arne Slot might think to play the players who will be here next season, and we bring Mo Salah off the bench, I am not sure," he posited.
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“Arne Slot is not in a position of great strength at Liverpool, and that’s why Salah made his comments. It’s not a situation of Alex Ferguson where he’s really powerful, got the club on his hands, and he will make decisions."
"[The likes of] Jose Mourinho [and] Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, these could have made these decisions and maybe could have gotten away with it with the backing of the crowd," Carragher continued.
"Arne Slot doesn’t have the backing of the crowd. That’s why Salah has done it. If he doesn’t give him the send-off, I think the fans will turn on Arne Slot even more. That’s why I’m disappointed in Salah because he knows the manager got no where to go with it.”