Sports
Paul Merson Drops ‘Best Take So Far’ on Mo Salah Situation
Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal star Paul Merson has given his thoughts on Mohamed Salah’s rant on social media. And he’s received widespread praise for his comments on the matter.
The Liverpool icon launched into an astonishing rant after the club’s 3-3 draw against Leeds, accusing them of throwing him ‘under the bus’ for their troubles so far this season. His comments were sparked by Arne Slot’s decision to drop the Egyptian international in recent weeks as he bids to change the team’s fortunes around amid a dismal run of form.
However, Salah has been widely criticised for what he said, most notably by Jamie Carragher, who described the comments as, “a disgrace.” He was then left out of the squad for their Champions League trip to Inter Milan, where Slot’s side emerged victorious thanks to a late penalty.
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Merson has now given his thoughts on the matter in a video on social media. Speaking on X, the 21-cap England international said: “I don’t know what the fuss is about. He’s a professional footballer, he’s a human being first of all, and he’s said what he’s said.
“I played Sunday morning football when I retired. And people used to kick off when they were sub for a Sunday morning team. “And everybody out there listening to this will know the same, they turn up Sunday morning, and they’re not playing, they’re going to have the raving hump because they want to play football.”
Merson continued: “It’s not like he’s the only one who’s played badly this season. He’s probably looking at it and thinking, ‘why am I the one who’s getting dropped and no-one else is?’”
Naming Ryan Gravenberch and centre-back pairing Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as other players who have been off the mark, he then questioned the club’s decision to spend so heavily in attacking areas and not buy an additional centre-back. Merson then said: “People go, ‘Oh, defensively, they’re not the same,’ because Salah is not tracking back.
“He never tracked back last season or the year before when he was reeling off figures that no other winger in the history of football will put up again, especially in the Premier League.”
Additionally, he pointed out that Salah had not refused to play for the club, unlike other players in the summer as they attempted to force moves to new clubs. Merson also went on to say that the Liverpool man chose to stay at Anfield when he could have left on a free transfer, most likely assuming that he was going to be a key part of the team for the current season.
“He wants to finish his career playing football,” he said. “He doesn’t want to sit there, watching a team play that can’t win a football match, and he’s sat there on the bench. He won’t want to finish his career like that.
“Everybody is having a go at him and hammering him. Let’s take a step back.”
Supporters Praise Merson for ‘Best’ Take on Salah
Merson’s comments have received widespread praise from fans, who believe that he’s given a fair and balanced view of Salah’s current predicament. One fan, reacting on social media, wrote: “Paul Merson is absolutely spot on here about the Salah situation. Every Liverpool fan should give it a listen. This is possible the best take I’ve heard from an ex-pro yet on it.”
Another fan agreed, stating: “Paul Merson of all people has the best take so far. What a bizarre world man.” And that was echoed by a fellow Liverpool fan, who said: “Very, very rarely agree with Paul Merson but he is spot on here about Mo Salah.”
One more added: “Everyone but Carragher speaking sense lol love to see it big up Paul Merson.” And a final supporter believes that the former Aston Villa man’s point about other players also being guilty of underperforming is important to note. They said: “Bang on Paul, other players need to be called out for underperforming & Salah should not be taking all the flak.”
