Mohamed Salah seems determined to distance himself from the disappointment of Liverpool’s season after posting yet another explosive statement on social media.
Salah has spiralled after being left out of the team following some poor form last winter, a decision from Arne Slot which set the Egyptian’s exit from the club in motion.
But while fans continue to back Salah and demand Slot’s sacking, the Liverpool head coach should be giving serious thought to dropping his outgoing superstar for his farewell match against Brentford on Sunday.
What did you make of Salah’s explosive statement before his last game for the club?
This sounds like it was aimed at Slot…
Slot should drop Salah for Brentford
The last line of Salah’s statement, which pointed fingers at Liverpool‘s current style of play in a clear dig towards Slot, was a look ahead to what fans can expect from his final appearance for the club.
“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,” said Salah.
Liverpool may need to beat Brentford to confirm their place in next season’s Champions League, but on his form throughout the season, Salah may not even be in Slot’s starting XI.
The Dutchman does not need to pander to the 33-year-old and his whims any longer either. And after Salah so clearly criticised him publicly once again, Slot would be well within his rights to drop him from his squad altogether.
Of course the No. 11 deserves his Anfield send-off, that is without dispute, but he is not above reproach.
His behaviour since being dropped in December has been petulant at best, and though fans will likely remain on his side, he is doing nothing but creating more divide at a club which needs unity. Salah may feel his popularity gives him the upper hand, but in robbing him of a final appearance, Slot could still get the last laugh.
Salah’s exit can’t come soon enough
Given the way he has gone about things since declaring his exit from the club, it is likely that Salah will soon reveal more about the fallout with Slot.
Though a model professional, the legendary winger does have an incredibly petty side, and the Dutch coach is surely set to feel the full brunt of that once he’s away from the confines of the club.
Rate Arne Slot’s second season as Liverpool head coach
Can anyone make a serious argument for higher than a C? 😶
Salah has a right to tell his side of the story, but he should also be mindful that Slot has stayed respectful to him up to this point.
There have been a couple of veiled moments of frustration in press conferences, but by and large the 47-year-old has not been drawn into a slagging match with Salah.
What is going on behind the scenes may be different, though, and it is clear that Salah’s continued annoyance with the situation – and lack of accountability for it – cannot be helpful to Slot as he attempts to turn things around.
Salah has been a wonderful, generational player for Liverpool over the past nine years, but it has reached the point where his presence is becoming toxic in itself. Sunday can’t come soon enough, and we can all turn the page and move on.
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