Mohamed Salah has accused Liverpool of making him a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the season, after being left on the bench for the third consecutive match in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Leeds. The Egypt international, who was an unused substitute at Elland Road, expressed deep frustration and cast doubt on his future at the club.
“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. “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 of Nations. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there,” he said.
The 28-year-old has scored only four Premier League goals this season and has faced criticism for his defensive work, but he feels the club have let him down after he signed a two-year contract extension in the spring. “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. “The respect, I want to get. I don’t have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it.”
