Mohamed Salah has accused Liverpool of making him a scapegoat for their poor start to the season after being left on the bench for the third consecutive match in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United. The Egypt international, who did not feature at Elland Road, said he felt the club had ‘thrown him under the bus’ and cast doubt on his future at Anfield.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why.” He added: “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.”
Salah, who was the Premier League’s top scorer last season and won both the PFA and FWA player of the year awards, suggested next week’s home game against Brighton could be his last for Liverpool before he joins up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations. “In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now. I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup,” he said.
The 32-year-old, who signed a two-year contract extension in the spring, said he had been given promises that were not kept. “I got a lot of promises and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they have kept the promise,” he said. “It is not acceptable for me. I don’t know why this is happening to me. I don’t get it. I think if this was somewhere else, every club would protect its player.”
Salah has scored only four Premier League goals this season and has faced criticism for his defensive contributions, but he insisted he was not the problem. “After what I have done for the club it really hurts,” he said. “You can imagine, really. After going from home to the club and you don’t know if you are starting.” He also referenced former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, saying: “Tomorrow Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine.”
