Mohamed Salah's explosive post-match interview following Liverpool's frustrating 3-3 Premier League draw against Leeds United on Saturday has plunged the reigning champions into deeper turmoil, with the Egyptian star's comments drawing widespread condemnation as "embarrassing," "selfish," and "disrespectful" from pundits, former players, and club insiders.
The high-stakes clash at Elland Road saw Liverpool twice squander a 2-0 lead before Dominik Szoboszlai restored their advantage in the 80th minute, only for Leeds' Ao Tanaka to snatch a dramatic equalizer in the ninth minute of stoppage time. Despite the chaotic thriller—which extended Liverpool's winless run to four league games and left them languishing in eighth place with just 20 points from 15 matches—Salah's words from the mixed zone overshadowed the on-pitch drama.
Unused for the entire 90 minutes as an unused substitute—the third consecutive Premier League benching under manager Arne Slot—Salah unleashed a tirade accusing the club of scapegoating him for their dismal title defense. "It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus," the 33-year-old declared, adding that his relationship with Slot had "broken down" and that "someone doesn't want me in the club." He lamented broken promises since signing a two-year contract extension in April, compared his treatment unfavorably to Harry Kane's during Bayern Munich's struggles, and even took a swipe at Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher for selective media criticism.
Salah's frustration stems from a sharp dip in form—four goals and two assists in 13 league appearances this season, a far cry from his 29-goal haul in last term's title triumph—and Slot's tactical shift toward a more defensive setup that has seen the Reds look marginally sharper without him (one win, two draws in his last three absences). "I have done so much for this club... I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame," he insisted, hinting that next weekend's home clash with Brighton could be his Anfield farewell before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15.
The backlash has been swift and severe. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy labeled Salah's remarks "making it all about him," arguing they undermine team unity at a pivotal juncture with Champions League ties against Real Madrid and Manchester City looming. Pundits Tony Cascarino and Alex Crook on talkSPORT called the comments "embarrassing" and "not happy," with Cascarino adding, "You think you're immune to criticism... well you're not!" Michael Owen, another ex-Reds forward, echoed the sentiment, slamming Salah for disrespecting Slot and his teammates. The Athletic described the outburst as "selfish and disrespectful," questioning why Salah couldn't "grin and bear" it until after Afcon.
Club sources are reportedly "furious," demanding a public apology from Salah to quell the civil war erupting at Anfield. Whispers of a January exit to Saudi Arabia—where Al-Ittihad's £150m bid was rebuffed in 2023—have resurfaced, with insiders suggesting either Salah or Slot could depart to resolve the impasse. Betting markets have already shifted, with odds on the next Liverpool manager tightening amid Slot's nine losses in 15 games.
Slot, speaking post-match, defended his selections as pragmatic amid Liverpool's crisis: "We have to accept the situation... I make my choices based on that." He is expected to address the rift directly in the coming days, potentially benching Salah for Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Inter Milan as punishment.
As Liverpool grapple with their unraveling campaign—two wins in their last 10 across all competitions—Salah's words have amplified the sense of implosion. With Afcon potentially sidelining him until late January, the Egyptian's Anfield legacy hangs in the balance, his once-unbreakable bond with the club now fractured beyond repair.
Key Quotes from Salah's Interview:
On feeling scapegoated: "I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame."
On Slot: "All of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship."
On his future: "I don’t know what is going to happen next."
Social media erupted, with #SalahOut and #SlotOut trending on X, amassing over 1.2 million mentions in 24 hours. Fans remain divided: some decry his "diva" antics, while others back his right to speak amid the Reds' woes.
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