Mohamed Salah was once again absent when Liverpool hosted Leeds United in the Premier League on New Year’s Day.
Salah was dropped by Arne Slot on the back of a bombshell interview post-Leeds in the reverse fixture last month.
The Egyptian was unhappy with how he was being treated by the club, which included losing his place in the starting eleven for several games in a row.
Tell us how you REALLY feel about Arne Slot after Liverpool’s performance against Leeds United 😵💫
Salah returned against Brighton and Hove Albion but then left Liverpool to compete at the AFCON.
Michael Owen urges Mohamed Salah to come back to Liverpool
The 33-year-old remains away with his country, who are next in action on January 5.
As a result, the Reds could not rely on one of their all-time top goalscorers to inject some much-needed firepower in a drab 0-0 draw with Leeds on Thursday.
Liverpool’s performances under Slot continue to underwhelm despite results technically looking up.
And Michael Owen has now made his feelings on Salah very clear when covering the stalemate as a pundit for SuperSport Premier League.
Speaking live post-Leeds, the ex-striker bemoaned Salah’s absence and told the Egyptian that ‘all is forgiven’.
He said: “People saying that Mo Salah should have been dropped or rested, or whatever, or sold.
“I mean that’s them without Mo Salah. He’s a difference maker, even when he’s not playing well he can still score goals.
“All is forgiven, Mo, I suppose, come back.”
Who was the most disappointing performer against Leeds?
Shocking display all round
Mohamed Salah isn’t the problem
While it was easy to point fingers at Salah for Liverpool’s difficult run of results at the back end of 2025/26, it’s clear he wasn’t the main problem.
As Owen pointed out, the Reds need a player like him to make a difference when things are not going well.
Liverpool fans discussed replacing Slot following Thursday’s display, and it’s become clear that the Dutchman, not one or two individual players, is the main reason for the disappointing campaign so far.
Jeremie Frimpong deserves credit for how he performed on the right wing against Leeds, but the natural defender obviously isn’t at the same level as Salah when it comes to scoring goals.
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