Mohamed Salah has accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after being left on the bench for the third consecutive match, as the champions drew 3-3 at Leeds. The Egypt international expressed deep disappointment and suggested his future at the club is in doubt.
“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 has been the Premier League’s top scorer four times and was named player of the year by both the PFA and FWA last season, indicated that 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. “I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup,” he said. “I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
The 32-year-old has scored only four league goals this season and has faced criticism for his defensive contributions as Liverpool have struggled. However, he feels he is being made a scapegoat and that the club has not kept promises made when 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. “It is not acceptable for me.”
Salah did not feature in the win at West Ham last Sunday but came off the bench against Sunderland on Wednesday. He was an unused substitute at Elland Road, a situation he finds extremely frustrating. “After what I have done for the club it really hurts,” he said. “I am top goalscorer, best player, winning the league in such a style, but I am the one who has to defend himself in front of the media and fans.”
