Mohamed Salah publicly expressed his disappointment after being left on the bench for Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United – prompting an ex-Liverpool star to condemn his comments
Danny Murphy has accused Mohamed Salah of making it “all about him” following his scathing critique of Arne Slot on Saturday evening.
The Match of the Day pundit joined Kelly Cates and Dion Dublin to dissect Liverpool’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road. Following the match highlights, the trio shifted focus to Salah’s press conference remarks, where he launched a blistering attack on what he described as his non-existent rapport with the manager and said the club was “throwing him under the bus”.
Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy was swift to offer his verdict on how Salah ought to have handled his predicament rather than his astonishing rant. He said: “We know that’s an emotional response that doesn’t really stack up. Everyone has to keep fighting for their place – and keep fighting for a certain level. I don’t think he’s on his own. A lot of other big-name players are getting stick and some fans are turning, they are getting judged.”
Murphy continued: “It’s not true. You can be angry, you can be frustrated, you can be emotional. He’s done wonderful things for the football club. You have to keep it in the four walls of the club. Knock on the manager’s door, go and speak with the CEO or whoever you might need to. Go and see the owners. Do whatever you’ve got to do. Express your frustration.
“By doing what he’s done, he’s causing the manager and the team a problem and he’s making it all about him. You just can’t do it. Whether you agree with him being left out or not, you don’t deal with it like this.”
This followed a shocking interview with Salah, who spoke to the press shortly after Liverpool’s match against Leeds, reports the Mirror. He expressed his annoyance at being left on the bench and suggested that the club was scapegoating him following some recent performances.
“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian star stated. “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.”
His frustration is palpable and, with the January transfer window fast approaching, there could be a departure looming. Rumours persist about Salah and a potential switch to the Saudi Pro League, following previous unsuccessful attempts to secure the striker.
“Is there any interest from Saudi Arabia? I don’t want to answer that question, because the club will take me in a different direction,” he continued. “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’m scoring more than anyone in this generation since I came into 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, as 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.”