Mo Salah was out in the freezer at Liverpool before Christmas. Harsh criticism of Arne Slot sent Salah not only back to the bench, but out of the matchday squad. Then things worked out between the two. Right up until before the last game. Then came another salvo from Salah, a statement and timing that made even Steven Gerrard react. Wayne Rooney thinks Slot now has to keep Salah away in the last game at Anfield, Jamie Carragher thinks the Egyptian is a pure egotist, while Gary Neville is glad he doesn’t play for Manchester United.
“I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that the opponents fear, and back to being a team that wins trophies.” These were parts of the “farewell gift” on social media from Salah to Slot, with still one game left in the season. In other words, this season’s Liverpool team under Arne Slot is pulling in the wrong direction.
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Steven Gerrard reacted to TNT Sport: “I’m surprised by the timing – one game left, his last game for Liverpool. He rarely speaks out, but he has lately because his incredible Liverpool career is coming to an end, but it’s a pretty harsh criticism of the Liverpool manager and staff in terms of where the team is at the moment.”
Jamie Carragher thinks this is a scandal that had to come: “I’m not surprised”, I told everyone: something is going to happen before the end of the season. He’s going to drop another bombshell, a bit like Ronaldo did when he left Manchester United. I thought it would wait until after the season, when he had moved on, but no. I called him selfish in an interview, and I still think so. Liverpool have a crucial week ahead of them; they haven’t secured a Champions League place yet, and the focus should be on Liverpool FC, not Salah FC.”
United legend Gary Neville agreed with Carragher and criticised the Egyptian for lousy timing. He insisted that no leading club in the world would accept such a public humiliation by their manager: “He pulled the needle out of a grenade in the middle of the room and now just walks out,” Neville analysed. Mo is not exactly happy. It’s not a pleasant situation. If he was a Manchester United player, I would be absolutely furious.”
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