Mohamed Salah Faces Backlash for 'Embarrassing' and 'Selfish' Outburst After Liverpool's Chaotic 3-3 Draw at Leeds United

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.

Manchester City Close In on Premier League Leaders Arsenal with Convincing 3-0 Victory Over Sunderland

 Manchester City reignited their Premier League title charge with a dominant 3-0 home win over high-flying Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, reducing the gap to table-toppers Arsenal to just two points after 15 games.

The Citizens, who entered the match on the back of narrow escapes against Leeds United and Fulham, produced one of their most assured performances of the season under Pep Guardiola. Goals from Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Phil Foden sealed a comprehensive victory, while Sunderland's challenge crumbled after a red card to substitute Luke O'Nien in stoppage time.

The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when defender Ruben Dias unleashed a stunning 25-yard strike – just his sixth goal for City – that rocketed into the top corner, leaving Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs rooted to the spot. The Black Cats, who started the day in fifth place on the back of a strong return to the top flight, had barely regrouped before Gvardiol doubled the lead three minutes later, rising highest to head home a pinpoint corner from Bernardo Silva.

Sunderland showed flickers of fight early in the second half, with Adama Traore testing City's defense on the break, but the game was put beyond doubt in the 62nd minute. French winger Rayan Cherki, in a moment of sheer brilliance, delivered an outrageous rabona cross from the right flank, which Foden met with a clinical header – his fifth goal in three league games and a testament to his red-hot form.

The result marks City's seventh consecutive Premier League home win against Sunderland and their third straight victory in the league, propelling them to 31 points and second place. Arsenal's shock 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa earlier in the day – sealed by Emiliano Buendia's 95th-minute winner – handed Guardiola's side a golden opportunity, which they grasped with both hands.

Post-match, Guardiola hailed the performance as "one of the best of the season," praising Cherki's "magical" assist and the defensive solidity that kept a clean sheet. "We needed this control after those scares," the City boss said. "Now we look to Madrid [in the Champions League] with confidence, but the Premier League is our focus – two points is nothing."

Sunderland, slipping to seventh with 25 points, can point to a valiant effort but rued their slow start and the late dismissal of O'Nien for a reckless challenge on Matheus Nunes. Manager Michael Beale admitted, "We came here to compete, but City's quality was too much today. We'll learn and bounce back."

With the Africa Cup of Nations looming from December 21, City will hope to maintain this momentum ahead of a midweek trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Fans at the Etihad were treated to a masterclass, chanting "Champions again" as the final whistle blew – a reminder that the title race is far from over.

Key Match Stats:

Possession: Man City 68% – Sunderland 32%

Shots (on target): Man City 18 (7) – Sunderland 6 (2)

Corners: Man City 9 – Sunderland 3

Fouls: Man City 8 – Sunderland 12

Man of the Match: Rayan Cherki (Man City)

Players Over 30 with the Most Goals in 2025 (Club Level)

As of December 2, 2025, the calendar year of 2025 has seen a remarkable display of longevity from veteran footballers around the world. Drawing from comprehensive data across global leagues, the following list highlights the top seven players aged over 30 who have scored the most goals **at club level** this year. This ranking is based on verified statistics from sources like Planet Football and Transfermarkt, focusing on competitive matches (domestic leagues, cups, and continental competitions). Ages are as of December 31, 2025, and ties are broken by minutes-per-goal ratio.

These players exemplify how experience and fitness can defy Father Time, with stars from major leagues like MLS, Bundesliga, and La Liga leading the charge. Note: International goals are excluded for consistency with the primary data source.

| Rank | Player | Age | Club | Goals | Appearances | Minutes per Goal |

|------|--------|-----|------|-------|-------------|------------------|

| 1    | Lionel Messi | 38 | Inter Miami (MLS) | 43 | 48 | 85.1 |

| 2    | Denis Bouanga | 31 | LAFC (MLS) | 32 | 35 | 70.0 |

| 3    | Harry Kane | 32 | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) | 31 | 35 | 89.0 |

| 4    | Bergson da Silva | 34 | Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia Super League) | 31 | 36 | 91.0 |

| 5    | Robert Lewandowski | 37 | Barcelona (La Liga) | 30 | 34 | 85.0 |

| 6    | Ilgiz Valiev | 30 | Lion City Sailors (Singapore Premier League) | 30 | 36 | 91.0 |

| 7    | Cristiano Ronaldo | 40 | Al-Nassr (Saudi Pro League) | 24 | 28 | 97.0 |

#### Key Insights and Highlights

- **Lionel Messi's Dominance**: At 38, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has enjoyed his most prolific club season since 2019, staying largely injury-free. His 43 goals include multiple hat-tricks in MLS playoffs and Leagues Cup, averaging a goal every 85 minutes. Messi's efficiency edges out the field, blending clinical finishing with playmaking (16 assists).

- **MLS Powerhouses**: Bouanga and Bergson highlight North American soccer's growing appeal for veterans. Bouanga's blistering pace has terrorized defenses in LAFC's run to the MLS Cup final, while Bergson's 32 goals have powered Johor to domestic supremacy.

- **European Stalwarts**: Kane (32) has elevated Bayern's attack, scoring at a rate better than his Tottenham peak, with five games left to add more. Lewandowski (37) continues his La Liga mastery, surpassing 30 goals despite Barcelona's transitional season. Ronaldo (40), in his twilight, remains a penalty-box predator but trails due to fewer minutes played.

- **Global Flavor**: Lesser-known leagues contribute surprises, like Valiev's haul in Singapore and Souza's 30 in Luxembourg (honorable mention, just outside top 7 with a 91 mpg ratio).

#### Broader Context

- **Total Goals Across All Players**: Including internationals, Messi's tally rises to 48 (club + country), but the list prioritizes club for fairness.

- **Comparison to Younger Stars**: For perspective, under-30 phenoms like Kylian Mbappé (26, ~44 goals total) and Erling Haaland (25, ~30 club goals) lead overall, but this underscores the veterans' enduring impact.

- **Trends**: Players over 30 accounted for 28% of global club goals in 2025, up from 24% in 2024, per IFFHS data, thanks to advanced recovery tech and tactical roles suiting experience.

Stats are current as of December 2, 2025, and subject to final-year updates (e.g., MLS Cup on December 6). For full breakdowns, check Transfermarkt or ESPN trackers.

YAKUBU AIYEGBENI LAYS BARE SUPER EAGLES' MIDFIELD WOES: "I'D STRUGGLE TO SCORE IN THIS TEAM" – LEGEND URGES NFF TO INJECT CREATIVITY AHEAD OF AFCON 2025

 In a no-holds-barred assessment that has ignited fervent debate across Nigerian football circles, former Super Eagles striker and Premier League icon Yakubu Aiyegbeni has delivered a stark critique of the national team's current setup, pinpointing a glaring lack of creativity in midfield as the root cause of their attacking frustrations. Speaking candidly on the Sunday Oliseh Podcast aired on November 30, 2025, the 43-year-old Yakubu – Nigeria's fourth all-time leading scorer with 21 goals in 58 caps – declared that even he would falter as a forward in the present squad, burdened by an overreliance on defensive midfielders and a dearth of inventive playmakers.

Yakubu's comments come in the wake of the Super Eagles' heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat to DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff second leg on November 20, 2025, at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. The loss – which saw Nigeria eliminated from the global showpiece for the first time since 2018 despite a 2-0 first-leg advantage – exposed tactical vulnerabilities that have plagued Finidi George's side throughout the qualifiers. With just 11 points from 10 Group C matches, the Eagles finished third behind South Africa (17 points) and Benin Republic (14 points), their campaign marred by draws against lesser sides and a failure to convert dominance into goals.

"We’re just a little bit short in the midfield, that’s the most important thing now because we don’t have a creative midfielder who can pass the ball to the strikers," Yakubu stated emphatically during the podcast. "When we look at the team, we have too many defensive midfielders and not many attacking midfielders. If I play in this team, I’ll struggle to score goals. I’m telling you because when you look at Osimhen when he plays, he’s fighting because he knows already."

The ex-Everton and Portsmouth forward, affectionately known as 'Yak Attack' for his predatory instincts that yielded 95 goals in 282 English Premier League appearances, drew stark contrasts to his own era. "Look at the way they score goals in the national team now, and you note that it was quite different in our days. We had players like Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, Finidi George, and other good passers; but now they don’t have them," he lamented. Yakubu highlighted how the absence of a true No. 10 – a visionary orchestrator capable of unlocking defenses with killer through-balls – has heaped undue pressure on star striker Victor Osimhen, whose five goals in the qualifiers (including a brace against Gabon) masked deeper systemic issues.

Despite the criticism, Yakubu was quick to praise individual standouts, naming Osimhen as "Nigeria’s best player" for his relentless work rate and aerial dominance, alongside Fulham's Alex Iwobi for his tireless energy, Atalanta's Ademola Lookman for his flair (lamenting that "we didn’t see the best of him" in key games), and Ajax defender Calvin Bassey for his composure at the back. "There have been two or three players that have been really impressive," he noted. "Osimhen has been the number one, and Lookman is another good one. But without creativity behind them, even world-class talents like these will be stifled."

Yakubu's intervention has struck a chord amid a post-mortem period for the three-time African champions, whose World Cup exit has amplified calls for structural reform from fans, analysts, and ex-players. On social media, #SuperEaglesCreativity has trended nationwide, with over 250,000 mentions on X (formerly Twitter) since the podcast's release, including endorsements from Sunday Oliseh himself: "Yakubu nailed it – we need that spark back!" The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to respond formally, but sources indicate that incoming technical director Amaju Pinnick is prioritizing midfield reinforcements ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the Eagles are drawn in a tough group alongside hosts Morocco, Egypt, and Cape Verde.

As Nigeria shifts focus to AFCON preparations – with friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia slated for January 2026 – Yakubu issued a rallying cry for balance and innovation. "This isn’t about blaming individuals; it’s about building a team that plays collectively and creatively. Stop relying on individual brilliance to paper over tactical flaws. With the right adjustments, we can rediscover that Eagles magic and go far in Morocco."

Yakubu, who represented Nigeria at two World Cups (1998 and 2010) and won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, remains a revered figure in African football. His podcast appearance, hosted by compatriot Sunday Oliseh, has amassed over 1.5 million views on YouTube, underscoring the enduring passion for the Super Eagles among the diaspora.