Sports
Why Liverpool Are Right to Back Slot Over Salah
Mohamed Salah started what could become a war of words with Liverpool and manager Arne Slot with some explosive comments in the aftermath of the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.
For the second time in three matches the Egyptian failed to make it onto the pitch, as Liverpool were pegged back by a 96th minute Leeds equaliser.
The result left Liverpool languishing in ninth place in the Premier League table, ten points off the top in their defence of their crown.
Salah has come in for criticism this season, with five goals and three assists to his name in 18 matches in all competitions. And he was not going to shy away from speaking his mind after being an unused substitute on Saturday.
No holding back
In a fiery interview with reporters in the mixed zone, Salah said: “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. 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.”
Salah has been left out of the squad to travel to Italy to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with Slot and goalkeeper Alisson on duty for the press conference that is sure to be dominated by questions about the forward’s future.
So what next for Salah and Liverpool?
Who’s right and who’s wrong?
There was plenty of speculation earlier this year over Salah’s future at Anfield, as he was in the last year of his contact with the club. Would he stay or would he go?
Eventually, in April, he put pen to paper on a new two-year deal, to run until 2027, but was that now a mistake, if not on the club’s part then the player’s?
For Liverpool, getting the Egyptian to sign a new contract means they can now get a transfer fee for him, should he depart the club following this animosity. Salah, however, may find things a bit more difficult.
He has suitors, of course, there are plenty of them, with speculation already rife that he could make the move to Saudi Arabia or MLS in America.
But any interested parties will now have to negotiate a fee to sign him.
After signing that mega money deal to stay at Anfield, Liverpool hold all the cards now, which is probably where Salah’s comments on “the club promised me a lot” stems from.
In an era when player power is rife, Liverpool have shown courage and conviction in backing their manager of this Salah furore, particularly when Slot himself is under huge pressure. GIVEMESPORT understands that the Dutchman retains the backing of the board in this situation, but he will know he is under pressure to produce results.
Slot delivered the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield and while the second season has taken a major downturn, he has changed plenty on the playing side, which takes time to get things right. Liverpool spent big in the summer and were expected to kick on, the reality has been something different, but if these signings and this new-look team are to be successful, they have to stick with it.
The end is nigh
At 33, Salah is coming towards the end of his career at the highest level and backing him, over the manager would be foolish.
Liverpool have invested hugely in Salah, with his new contract reportedly worth £500,000 per week. But insodoing the Reds have covered themselves when it comes to allowing him to leave.
Salah can leave, but only on Liverpool’s terms and at an age of diminishing value, Liverpool are doing the right thing by standing by their manager and Salah must accept his fate.
