Jamie Carragher noted the timing of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah's fiery social media post hitting out at coach Arne Slot as a ploy to guarantee game time over the weekend against Brentford
21:07, 18 May 2026
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher is never shy to speak publically about Mohamed Salah(Image: Getty Images)
Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher went on a lengthy rant about Mohamed Salah's weekend social media post, where the Egyptian international sent a not-so-thinly veiled shot at Reds coach Arne Slot, on Sky Sports' Monday Coverage of Arsenal vs Burnley.
In addition to calling Salah's move selfish, Carragher lauded that the Liverpool winger took advantage of the fact that Slot is "not in a position of great strength."
"If he doesn’t give [ Salah ] the send-off, I think the fans will turn on Arne Slot even more," the ex-Reds center-back said. Carragher also went into elaborate detail about whether Liverpool's pursuit of Champions League football will complicate Slot's decision to play Salah against Brentford on Sunday at Anfield.
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Carragher admitted that Liverpool's precarious league position likely factored in Salah deciding to post when he did.
"Now, if playing Mo Salah at the weekend gives Liverpool the best chance of winning the game, you have to pick him," Carragher shared. "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."
Liverpool's 4-2 loss to Aston Villa on Friday means the side must beat Brentford on Sunday to guarantee Champions League football next season. However, if Bournemouth fail to beat Manchester City on Tuesday, the Reds will automatically secure their spot in Europe's top club football competition.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah seemed to fall out with coach Arne Slot last fall(Image: Getty Images)
"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," Carragher added.
"But if Liverpool have 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."
Sky showed a graphic revealing that 94% of Liverpool fans support Salah in his ongoing spat with Salah. Carraghered admitted that Salah is likely well aware of his power.
Mohamed Salah
Sky showed a poll while Jamie Carragher was speaking that most Liverpool fans side with Mohamed Salah over Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)
“Arne Slot is not in a position of great strength at Liverpool, and that’s why Salah made his comments," he said. "It’s not a situation of Alex Ferguson where he’s really powerful, got the club on his hands, and he will make a decision."
"Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, these could have made these decisions and maybe could have gotten away with it with the backing of the crowd. 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.”
Mohamed Salah's comments
What did Salah say? The nine-year Liverpool veteran posted a multi-paragraph blurb across his social platforms on Saturday.
"I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions. It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there," he wrote.
"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," Salah added.
"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."