Mohamed Salah did not take kindly to being on the Liverpool bench for a third straight game on Saturday.
The Egyptian has been in poor form this season, with Arne Slot fully justified in dropping him for a spell on the bench.
Things hit a new low against Leeds United, with Salah failing to get off the bench throughout a turbulent 90 minutes.
Whose side are you on, Salah or Slot?
“I said many times before that I have a good relationship with the manager, suddenly we don’t have a relationship, I don’t know why. It’s not acceptable to me, to be honest. I don’t know why it always happens to me. ‘We throw Mo under the bus, because he’s the problem.’ I don’t think I’m the problem.”
Mohamed Salah on Arne Slot
Salah dropped a bombshell after the game, telling reporters at Elland Road that he felt ‘thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool and Slot.
However, while many will feel the legendary forward has a point, his timing could not be worse. In indulging in a selfish and inflammatory outburst, Salah has proven one of his harshest critics – former Reds defender Jamie Carragher – absolutely right.
Mohamed Salah only speaks out when it suits him
You can understand Salah’s frustration at spending three games on the Liverpool bench for the first time in his career.
But the 33-year-old has been dropped for no reason other than his own awful personal form. It simply has not been good enough.
READ MORE: What Mohamed Salah was spotted doing on the pitch straight after Leeds 3-3 Liverpool
In amongst that, Salah has been notable by his absence when fronting up to the cameras following Liverpool’s poor performances.
“On the back of all these defeats, it’s always Virgil van Dijk who comes out,” Carragher said live on Sky Sports. “A year ago this weekend Mo Salah wasn’t shy in coming out and speaking about his own situation, about the club not offering him a contract.
“I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets man of the match or he wants a new contract.”
Predictably, some supporters hit back at Carragher for his comments online, but the Liverpool legend has been proven absolutely bang on about Salah in the very worst way possible.
Who do you think should go, Salah or Slot?
Salah likely to win Arne Slot stand-off
Salah’s poorly-advised speech to gathered media on Saturday was a clear example of a player giving an ultimatum to his club. The No. 11 was stating ‘him or me’ in the most dramatic way possible.
It is a bold move from Salah and one which could potentially backfire. But when it comes to Slot and Salah, it is inarguable who has the most credit in the bank at Liverpool.
Given the results Liverpool are currently picking up – coupled with Salah’s comments – and it would now be something approaching a miracle if Slot keeps his job.
The club could decide otherwise and send their star player of a generation off in disgrace, but that does not feel especially likely.
So, Salah will probably get what he wants, and that may be the best thing for Liverpool too. But it does not excuse the fact that this was an entirely selfish move aimed at bringing this great club into disrepute. He has managed that, but how heavy will the cost prove to be?
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