Tension Between Salah and Slot
Mohamed Salah says Liverpool have thrown him under the bus and that his relationship with Arne Slot has collapsed. He sits the full 90 minutes on the bench during the 3-3 draw at Leeds. It is his third straight match without a starting place. After the game, he says the club want him to carry all the blame. He says he once had a strong bond with Slot. Now he says they have no relationship at all. He cannot explain the change. He believes someone at the club wants him out.
Salah says he will always love Liverpool. He says his children feel the same. He says the current treatment is unacceptable. He feels pushed under the bus again. He says he is not the problem. He says he has given too much to Liverpool for this situation. He says he earned his position and should not fight for it daily. He says he is not bigger than anyone. He says he wants the respect he deserves. He says football often feels unforgiving.
He leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December. He says he does not know his future, even after signing a two-year extension in April. He scored 29 league goals last season as Liverpool won the title. He has not reached that level this season. He has only four goals in 13 league games. He joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and became one of the club’s modern icons.
Saudi clubs have pursued him for years. Al-Hilal show strong interest. Liverpool leaders say they remain open-minded about his future.
Slot Explains the Decision
Liverpool lose a 2-0 lead and a 3-2 lead at Leeds. Slot says he did not bring Salah on because he wanted control rather than another goal. He says he uses Salah when he needs to score. Slot later says debates around Salah are normal. He says Salah shaped Liverpool for six or seven years. He says people talk when such a player sits out. Salah last started in the 4-1 defeat by Eindhoven in late November.
Analysis: Shock Within the Squad
If Salah never plays for Liverpool again, he leaves as a legend. Since 2017 he has scored 188 Premier League goals for Liverpool. Only three players in league history have more. He won the league’s players’ player of the year award last season. He scored 29 goals and made 18 assists as Liverpool won the title. His contract story shaped that season. In April he signed a two-year extension. This season he has only five goals in 19 appearances. After 53 straight league starts, he now sits on the bench. Slot still calls him a top professional and says he reacts like a top player.
Salah rarely stops for mixed-zone interviews. His decision to speak at Elland Road shocks many. He did something similar after a win at Southampton last year. Then he said he was more out than in due to contract delays. Team-mates felt stunned then. They feel the same now.
He says he has given everything for Liverpool. He says someone does not want him at the club. He has won every major trophy with Liverpool. He has matched Golden Boot records with Henry. Only Rush and Hunt have more goals for Liverpool. Yet he now faces a bitter chapter. He leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations next weekend. The big question is whether he returns as a Liverpool player.
Salah’s Full Reflections
Salah says he sat on the bench and could not believe it. He says the result hurts because Liverpool should win games like that. He says Liverpool scored early and controlled the match. He says they conceded silly goals again. He says he does not blame team-mates. He says the team must defend better.
He says he cannot believe he stayed on the bench for 90 minutes. He says it is the first time he sits three matches in a row. He feels disappointed. He says he has given too much for such treatment. He repeats that the club have thrown him under the bus. He says he received many promises in the summer. He says they were not honoured.
He says he once had a strong relationship with Slot. He says that relationship is gone. He says he does not know why. He says he believes someone wants him out. He says he loves the club and the fans. He says he told his mother he would not start. He says he invited her to the next match because he wants to enjoy it. He says he does not know what happens next. He says he may say goodbye before the Africa Cup.
He says the situation is unacceptable. He says he cannot understand the decisions. He says other clubs protect their stars. He says Liverpool treat him as the problem. He says he deserves respect. He repeats that he earned his place. He says football can feel brutal.
He says he cannot say if he played his last match for Liverpool. He says everything remains open. He praises Haaland and notes he still leads the scoring charts. He says the treatment hurts more because of that. He says he knows former players will criticise him. He says he expects it.
He refuses to comment on Saudi interest. He says the club would push him into another direction. He says the situation might be fixable. He says he still loves Liverpool. He says he cannot say what comes next.
He says he scored more goals and made more assists than anyone in his era. He says he would receive better protection elsewhere. He mentions Kane’s long goal drought. He says the media trusted Kane. He says he never gets the same trust. He jokes he is sorry to Kane.
He says he does not know who wants him out. He says he cannot name anyone. He says he asked for reasons. He says he never received any. He says Slot told him he would not play. He says Slot knows his feelings. He says he does not regret signing. He says he wanted to end his career at Liverpool. He says the situation breaks those plans.
He says he is too fit for such an ending. He says he won major awards five months ago. He says it should not end this way. He says every player struggles. He says he now stands alone in defending himself.
Reporters ask if he will speak to Slot again. He says no. He says the relationship is broken. He says something changed behind the scenes. He says team-mates still support him. He says they show respect. He says they are not part of the issue. He says he supports them with experience.
