Mohamed Salah is in the middle of a storm after his lengthy outburst following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United on Saturday night. The ‘Egyptian King’ stated he felt he had been ‘thrown under the bus’ after being left out of the starting XI for three successive games.
Amid the various complaints the 33-year-old had, he claimed his relationship with manager Arne Slot has completely broken down. Salah stated: “I used to have a good relationship (with Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why.”
The reigning Premier League champions have been going through a long spell of poor form, dropping from the top of the table to a mid-table scramble. This has led to Slot changing things up to try and spark the team back into life. That has included dropping Salah to the bench.
Mo Salah Sealed His Own Downfall After Title Win
One of the best days in his career came when Liverpool wrapped up their 20th English top-flight title with a 5-1 victory over Tottenham at Anfield in April. However, the Egypt international’s comments following the full-time whistle look like they may have foreshadowed this eventual fallout.
Salah claimed his defensive responsibility was a lot less than the rest of his teammates, a decision he says was made by Slot. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:
“Now I don’t have to defend much. It is quite difficult to say one thing, but the tactics are quite different. But I told him, ‘As long as you rest me defensively, I will provide offensively’ – so I’m glad I did. It was the manager’s idea, of course, but he listens a lot.”
Watch Salah’s full interview below.
Slot had immense trust in the forward to produce offensively last term, which he did in unbelievable fashion with a staggering 29 goals and 18 assists in the league.
Unfortunately, Liverpool are no longer in a position to allow one player not to ‘defend’ much’. Already suffering six defeats in the Premier League this term – more than the entirety of last season – Slot has looked to tighten things up at the back.
The industrious Dominik Szoboszlai has operated on the right flank in Salah’s absence and while goals are still being leaked, the Reds haven’t been beaten in the last three matches.
Salah Thinks He’s ‘Earned His Place’ Despite Liverpool Struggles
During his post-Leeds rant, Salah made the claim that he shouldn’t have to fight for his place in the team as his eight years of world-class performances have allowed him the right to play. He claimed:
“I don’t think I am a problem. I am not fighting for my position every day because I have earned it. I am not bigger than the club. I am not bigger than anything. But I have earned it.”
Despite his incredible achievements for the club, it borders on absurd that any player should feel they are guaranteed a starting place. Slot, as the head coach, should be allowed to take Salah out of the side if he feels the team will benefit.
While things were going well for the Merseysiders last season, meaning Salah could be given more freedom and less responsibility, it doesn’t mean that should still be the case during a tough run of form.
He admitted the lack of defensive responsibility he had in the title-winning campaign on the Anfield pitch, but that may well be the reason Slot decided to leave him on the bench for three consecutive matches. Salah is in the team to contribute going forward, which he often does to great effect, but his forward-thinking nature was also harming the collective this season.