Growing Divide With Slot
Mohamed Salah claims Liverpool no longer stand by him and says his relationship with Arne Slot has broken down. He spends the full 3-3 draw at Leeds on the bench. It is his third consecutive match without a start. After the game, he says the club blame him for recent issues. He says he once shared strong communication with Slot. Now he says that connection is gone. He cannot explain the sudden collapse. He believes someone at the club wants him pushed aside.
Salah says he loves Liverpool and always will. He says his children feel the same. He calls the treatment unacceptable. He says he feels thrown under the bus. He insists he is not the problem. He says he has given too much to deserve this. He says he earned his position and should not fight daily for it. He says he is not bigger than the club. He says he only wants respect. He adds that football can be harsh.
He leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December. He says he does not know his future, despite signing a two-year extension in April. He scored 29 league goals last season when Liverpool won the title. This season he has four in 13 league games. He joined Liverpool in 2017 from Roma and became a key player.
Saudi clubs remain interested, with Al-Hilal leading the chase. Liverpool say they remain open to all options.
Slot Explains His Decision
Liverpool surrender 2-0 and 3-2 leads at Leeds. Slot says he kept Salah on the bench to control the game, not because he doubted him. He says he uses Salah when the team needs a breakthrough. He says debate around Salah is normal. He says Salah shaped the team for years. Players like him always attract attention. Salah last started in the 4-1 loss to Eindhoven in November.
Analysis: Teammates Surprised by Comments
If Salah has played his last game for Liverpool, he leaves as a club legend. He has 188 Premier League goals for Liverpool. Only three players have scored more in league history. He won the league’s top player award last season, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists. His contract saga dominated headlines until he signed in April. This season he has five goals in 19 appearances. His streak of 53 consecutive league starts ended. Slot still calls him a model professional.
Salah rarely speaks in the mixed zone. His choice to speak at Elland Road surprises many. He did the same last season when he felt uncertain about his future. Teammates were shocked then and feel the same now.
He says he has given everything to Liverpool. He says someone wants him out. He says he has won every major trophy with the club. He sits behind Rush and Hunt on the all-time scoring list. He now faces a difficult chapter. He will soon leave for the Africa Cup. The big question is whether he returns as a Liverpool player.
Salah Opens Up on His Frustration
Salah says he could not believe he stayed on the bench for the full match. He says the 3-3 draw hurts because Liverpool should win such games. He says they started strongly and controlled early moments. He says they conceded soft goals again. He says he does not blame teammates. He says the defence must improve.
He says three straight games on the bench is a first in his career. He says he feels deeply disappointed. He repeats he feels thrown under the bus. He says the club made promises in the summer that remain unfulfilled.
He says his strong bond with Slot has disappeared. He says he does not know why. He says he believes someone wants him out. He says he still loves the fans. He says he told his mother he would not start and invited her to the Brighton match. He says he does not know what comes next. He says he may say goodbye before the Africa Cup.
He calls the situation unacceptable. He says he cannot understand the decisions. He says other clubs protect their stars. He says Liverpool treat him as the problem. He says he earned respect. He says football can be harsh.
Asked if this was his last game, he says nothing is certain. He praises Haaland. He says it hurts more because he still leads the scoring charts. He expects criticism from former players.
He avoids questions about Saudi interest. He says the club might spin his words. He says the rift could still be repaired. He says he still loves Liverpool. He says his future is open.
He says he has produced more goals and assists than anyone in his era. He says other clubs defend their players better. He mentions Kane’s long goal drought. He says Kane kept trust. He says he never receives similar backing. He jokes that he apologises to Kane.
He says he does not know who wants him out. He says he has no names. He says he asked for answers but received none. He says Slot told him he would not play. He says Slot knows how he feels. He says he does not regret signing his deal. He says he hoped to retire at Liverpool. He says that dream now feels lost.
He says he is too fit for such an ending. He says he won major awards recently. He says this should not be happening. He says form dips happen to all players. He says he now feels isolated.
He says he will not speak with Slot again. He says something changed behind the scenes. He says teammates still support him. He says he guides them. He says he respects them fully.
