Mohamed Salah has accused Liverpool of throwing him ‘under a bus’ and hinted at a possible exit in a stunning post-match interview following the 2-2 draw at Leeds United. The Egypt international, who was named on the bench for the third consecutive game, stopped to speak to reporters at Elland Road and delivered a series of provocative statements that have cast doubt on his future at the club.
Salah claimed there is no longer a relationship between him and head coach Arne Slot, and suggested that someone within the club wants him out. ‘I’m very disappointed. There’s no way I’m going to stay silent,’ he said. ‘The club knows what I want. They don’t want to give it. So it’s not in my hands.’ The 33-year-old, who signed a contract worth over £32m for the remaining 19 months in April, also appeared to criticise his teammates, saying he has earned the right to play ahead of others.
The remarks have put Liverpool’s hierarchy on the defensive, with sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG’s Michael Edwards under scrutiny. Teammates Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai, who has started ahead of Salah in recent matches, have previously stressed the need for collective performance. Van Dijk had said earlier in the week that ‘everyone has to perform’, a statement that now resonates after Salah’s outburst.
Liverpool planned to let the dust settle on Sunday before deciding on a response. However, the club must act decisively to preserve Slot’s authority, with some calling for Salah to be dropped from the upcoming Champions League trip to Inter Milan and the home game against Brighton. The situation echoes Roy Keane’s infamous MUTV interview that led to his departure from Manchester United, though Salah stopped short of directly lambasting his teammates.
Salah’s future now looks uncertain, with reported interest from Saudi Arabia. The forward hinted at a possible farewell to Anfield, leaving open whether that would be permanent or temporary for the Africa Cup of Nations. With Liverpool’s season already struggling, the club faces a defining choice between retaining their star player or backing their embattled manager.
