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Gary Neville Breaks Silence on Mo Salah vs Arne Slot Liverpool Row
English pundit Gary Neville has finally weighed in on Mohamed Salah’s falling out with Arne Slot at Liverpool for the first time. Usually one quick to give his thoughts on footballing matters, the former Manchester United man has bit his tongue until now.
Salah made headlines with his outburst following the Reds’ 3-3 draw against Leeds United, in which he did not get off the bench. The winger revealed that he has “no relationship” with Arne Slot and added that he felt he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club. Jamie Carragher, Neville’s fellow pundit on Sky Sports, perhaps made the most notable response, calling the Egyptian’s actions “a disgrace in a lengthy monologue.
Now offering his thoughts on the matter, Neville has compared Salah’s behaviour to that of former Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Neville Compares Salah Outburst to Cristiano Ronaldo
In an interview with Sky Sports, Neville opened up on the topic. He claimed that he could see it from both sides, explaining:
“I see it from both sides. I wouldn’t see it from an ordinary player’s side. But when you have this level of player that’s almost the best in the world, which I’d put Mo Salah up there with, you sometimes… not have to accept what he’s done because Cristiano Ronaldo did it [at United] and I didn’t take to it too kindly at all because I think those players have an expectancy to bring everybody along with them.
“But it is not unusual behaviour for a player of that level of quality and talent. They often have a different outlook on things.
“It’s easy for me when it’s at Liverpool because I can sit back and relax a little bit. I wouldn’t like it if it was at my club Manchester United and I didn’t a few years ago when Cristiano did it and he went and did the big interview.
“I thought it was wrong, I thought the timing was wrong and the way it was delivered was wrong, so I can see why Liverpool fans would be upset. But I was doing the game [against Leeds], I thought [Salah] should have come on the pitch, I said it on commentary.
“I can see why he was upset but I can also see it from Liverpool’s perspective – they feel let down and that he’s put a lot of attention on them that wasn’t needed in a moment of challenge and difficulty.”
“If it was a player that didn’t have the level of talent, experience or success of Mo Salah I think they’d be kicked out pretty quickly.
But when you’re that exceptional and that talented and have the presence of a great player you don’t accept being put on the bench and not being put on.
“I played with players who were exactly the same and left the club as soon as that was the case.”
Liverpool Make Salah vs Brighton Call
GIVEMESPORT understands that Liverpool will recall Salah to the squad against Brighton in the Premier League this weekend. Amid the fallout, the winger had been left at home while the Reds travelled to Italy for the 1-0 Champions League win away at Inter Milan.
Positive talks with manager Slot appear to have helped somewhat cool the situation. That said, Salah will still head to the African Cup of Nations following the match against the Seagulls, with his future still very much up in the air.
GMS understands that Saudi clubs are still prepared to try and sign him in January, while there is also interest from clubs in MLS.
