Mohamed Salah shook the football world last week when he claimed that he was ‘thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool following a run of three games where he wasn’t in the starting XI. The comments came after his team’s disappointing 3-3 draw against Leeds United in the Premier League, where he was an unused substitute.
Salah also claimed that his relationship with Arne Slot has broken down. Since then, his future at Anfield has been highly uncertain, especially with the approaching January transfer window and the fact that he has to go to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Dec. 15.
Now, former Everton player Thomas Gravesen has given his take on the situation.
Former Everton Man Believes Mohamed Salah’s Comments Were An ‘Own Goal’
Gravesen, who made 141 appearances for Everton from 2000 to 2005, was left unimpressed with the nature and the timing of the comments. The Reds squandered their lead against Leeds with a late equalizer from Ao Tanaka, piling on the pressure on Slot, whose team has slipped from first to 10th in the last couple of months.
“I think people were hugely surprised by the timing of it all and why Mohamed Salah felt it was necessary to go to the media with it. I think it was a completely misplaced interview for him to make it at this time. It has been a huge own goal for Mohamed Salah – both the way and the timing,” he said on his Viaplay program Toffe vs. Graver (via Tipsbladet).
The Reds are set to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Dec. 13, and there is no certainty if Salah will make the starting XI for Slot’s side. With just five goals in 19 matches this season, the Egyptian has had his slowest start to a season by some margin since joining Liverpool from AS Roma back in the summer of 2017.
Salah was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their 1-0 win against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Dec. 9, with Slot publicly confirming this decision well before the teamsheet was announced. The 33-year-old signed a two-year deal with the club just this April, but his future is now uncertain, with several Saudi Arabian and MLS clubs linked with his services.
The Reds, in his absence, seem to have settled on a frontline that features a combination of Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekitike. They are now unbeaten in their last four matches, but have still won just two in their last 10 league games – something fans would feel is linked with their star man, Salah, not scoring goals on a regular basis.
Arne Slot Accepts It Was He Who Decided To Leave Salah Out of Liverpool vs. Inter Milan
Slot did not hide behind anyone when asked whose decision it was to drop the club’s third all-time top scorer from their traveling squad to Milan earlier this week. He mentioned that while there is a discussion about such high-stakes decisions among Liverpool’s senior management, it is he who has the final say on such things.
“I think we decided as a club – and I was part of that decision — not to take him to the Inter Milan and I am always in contact with (sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’ CEO of Football Michael Edwards) but when it comes to the decision-making of the line-up or the squad they always leave it open to me,” Slot said about this matter in his pre-match press conference before Brighton (via ESPN).
“That is not to say I don’t talk to them, mainly Richard not Michael, but I talk to him about so many things: the decision to play a player or have him in the squad — as I have experienced until now and I think this will never change — is entirely up to me”, the Dutchman added.
Depending on Salah’s success with Egypt in the AFCON, Liverpool fans may not see their talisman back on Merseyside until Jan. 18. Even then, it would be anyone’s guess if he has decided to leave the club or if he is back in Slot’s XI on a regular basis.