Every phrase Mohamed Salah stated in bombshell Liverpool interview with ruthless Arne Slot verdict

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has said that it’s “not acceptable” that he’s not featuring for the club, and has claimed he doesn’t have “any relationship” with the manager Arne Slot anymore in a bombshell interview. It comes after the forward was named on the bench for the third game in a row in the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United.

Salah’s absence from the team in the win over West Ham raised some eyebrows, which Slot brushed off as him managing the squad with rotation. However, the Egypt international was also absent from the starting XI against Sunderland, and then Leeds, with both games ending in draws.

“I don’t know what to say,” Salah said to the media. “It’s kind of funny, and I couldn’t believe it. It’s a disappointing result for us as a team. We conceded silly goals. I could not help my team-mates because I am on the bench.

“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think. I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.

“That’s how I feel it. Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now, I’m on bench, so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.

“I used to have a good relationship [with Arne Slot’. Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. It seems like someone doesn’t want me in the club. I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game.

“It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it. I am just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.

“It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else, every club would protect its players. Now it’s: ‘Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team’.

“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.”

It was part of a bombshell interview from the Liverpool forward, who hinted at a possible exit in the January transfer window as a result. Salah has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia yet again, with the league chasing his signature for a few years, but to no avail.

The outstanding seven-and-a-half minute interview with the media continued, as he added: “I am sorry, I love Erling Haaland, I love him but I am the current top scorer in the Premier League (most recent Golden Boot winner). I won the league in style.

“Absolutely, it hurts me. What I have done, it hurts., I know the club well, I have been here for many years. Tomorrow, Jamie Carragher is going to criticise me but that’s fine.

“Is there interest from Saudi Arabia? I don’t want to answer that question because the club will take me in a different direction. I have done so much for this club. I love the fans so much and love the club, I don’t know what is next.

“I am scoring more than anyone in this generation since I came to the Premier League. I don’t think anyone else scored more. Can I give an example? It’s silly., Harry Kane was not scoring for 10 games [at Tottenham], maybe got one or two. Everyone in the media was: ‘Harry will score for sure.’ Now it is: ‘Mo needs to be on the bench.’

“I don’t know if someone wants me out. Don’t put words in my mouth, please. it’s just how it feels. I asked but I didn’t see an explanation. I knew I wasn’t going to play. It’s just take it and swallow it.

“Arne told me [I wasn’t playing] yesterday. I had a meeting yesterday. He knows my feelings. How bad is it [that] I have to answer that? Even the question (does he regret signing the contract in April) hurts, I will never regret signing for this club. I thought I was signing and ending my career here. Now this is not according to the plan.

“In my head, why should it end this way? Five months ago I was winning awards, now why go in this direction? Everyone in the team is not in this form but I am the one who has to defend himself.

“There is no relationship [with Slot]. It was a very good relationship. Now there is no relationship. No, no, I don’t feel let down by my team-mates, these guys, they know how much I love them. They know how much I support them, even inside before the game, after the game.

“I’m an experienced player, I’ve been in their position. I always support them, I always give them experience. But no, no, the players they’re not connected to the situation at. Even they support me so much so there’s just much love between us as players and respect.”

The latest stance from the 33-year-old would certainly suggest that any avenue could be open after his trip to the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah is set to be released for international duty at the end of next week, with Egypt kicking off their campaign against Zimbabwe on December 22.

They then take on South Africa on December 26, before a final group game against Angola on December 29. Beyond that point, it remains to be seen whether he will still be a Liverpool player, however all signs point towards a potential exit.

It heaps even more pressure on the shoulders of Slot, who has faced plenty of criticism in the early weeks of the Premier League season. Despite winning the league in his debut campaign, a slow start after a summer of significant spending has left many wondering how he can fix the side.

The Reds have looked fragile in defence and have lacked cohesion in the frontline, with the manager left scrambling for solutions. The latest appears to be dropping Salah out of the team, which saw an initial victory over West Ham, but disappointing draws to Sunderland and Leeds.

The latest of those may well be the most damaging, as a two-goal lead, thanks to a brace from Hugo Ekitike was seemingly spurned with goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach. Dominik Szoboszlai’s late goal appeared to swing it back in Liverpool’s favour, but Ao Tanaka’s injury-time strike pegged them back once again.

Now, with pressure mounting, the Salah situation is another issue for the manager to contend with.