Mo Salah was benched by Arne Slot for the third consecutive game and was an unused substitute during Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday
Mohamed Salah has sensationally accused Liverpool of “being thrown under the bus” as the Egypt star declared that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot has completely broken down.
And the third top goalscorer in the club’s history has hinted that next week’s visit from Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield could even be his final appearance for the Reds with the January transfer window on the horizon and clubs from the Saudi Pro League reportedly interested.
Salah, who had started 53 consecutive Premier League games before last week’s 2-0 win over West Ham, has now been on the bench for the last three, only appearing as a second-half substitute for Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.
And after watching from the bench once more as his team-mates threw away a two-goal lead before drawing 3-3 with Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday, Salah has launched an explosive response to being left out for three successive fixtures for the first time in a Liverpool career that spans 420 games.
The ECHO was part of a handful of media outlets who spoke to the Liverpool star after the game. Here is every word from a remarkable post-match interview.
READ MORE: Arne Slot points blame for Liverpool struggles and reason they ‘can’t be higher’ in tableREAD MORE: Liverpool’s familiar failings return as Leeds snatch thrilling draw – 6 talking points
“I don’t know what to say,” Salah said. “It’s kind of funny, 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 Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. (It) seems like someone does not 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.”
Salah, whose chat with the media lasted around seven-and-a-half minutes, added: “It is what it is. In football you never know but I don’t accept this situation. I have done so much for this club.
“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?
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“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.”
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