Yes. Mo is very practiced at walking straight by the reporters asking for his time. He gives them comments only when he’s got something to say, and the reporters themselves have even commented on their surprise that he stopped to engage them.
Of course, he could have made an emotionally unhinged decision to do it. We’ve all been there. But I just don’t see that in his response
Joyce:
Seems like Hunter, Joyce etc doing their bit as club mouthpieces. None of us are happy with what Mo has done but some of this feels a bit much
Mo’s move was a bit much in the first place.
Journalists do their job, especially with headlines, game of words.
I didnt know that, might be an Islamic value, to keep ones inner reflections private. Or why didnt he, like any other kid, just tell his dad.
I wonder if King Kenny and Rushie will have a private word with Mo.
If this article written in the Echo is true… it seems MO went and had a shower before making good on a promise to come back out into the mixed zone to speak to reporters… plenty of time to cool off one would think… Here is the article from today.
For virtually all of his 420 games as a Liverpool player, Mohamed Salah has politely but decisively rejected the chance to speak to the media after the final whistle has sounded. To be precise, the Egypt superstar has done it on 417 occasions. Just three times, prior to Saturday’s explosive offering, has he taken some time to speak to those assembled after matches in the hope of speaking to a player or two.
In 2018, he made good on a promise after he had reached the 40-goal landmark in his first season. Salah may have thought he had set the bar unrealistically high on that one in an effort to avoid a conversation but he ensured he kept to his word.
In 2019, just moments after he had become a Champions League winner with the Reds, he also spoke, beaming with pride as the winners’ medal hung from his neck in Madrid after that 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur
And 13 months ago, outside a rain-soaked St Mary’s, Salah revealed to just a handful of reporters that he was “more out than in” on account of failing to reach an agreement on a new contract.
So when the 33-year-old told the ECHO he would be back to speak after a quick post-match shower, having sat on the bench for the entirety of Saturday evening’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, it was crystal clear the third highest goalscorer in Anfield history had something he wanted to get off his chest
What followed for those few huddled inside the Elland Road mixed zone was genuinely extraordinary. Even for a player whose use of the media has been very deliberate in his efforts to send out messages and make a point, the searing honesty across a near seven-and-a-half-minute conversation was remarkable.
From claiming he has been “thrown under the bus” to his admission that the relationship with Arne Slot has completely broken down, through to the hint that next week’s visit from Brighton could even be his last at Anfield, it was gobsmacking. Salah spoke like a wounded animal, whose pride had been obliterated by his ‘dropping’ from the team.
“I don’t know what to say,” Salah said. "It’s kind of funny, I couldn’t believe it. It’s a disappointing result for us as a team. We conceded silly goals. I could not help my team-mates because I am on the bench.
"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 [about] 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.
"It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it. I am just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.
“It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else,every club would protect its players. Now it’s: ‘Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team.'”
Salah didn’t just rock the boat, he turned it stern first towards an enormous iceberg. And at such a turbulent time generally at Liverpool, the question is why now? For reporters gathered at the scene, it is manna-from-Heaven to hear a player of such status speaking so candidly about a desperate situation.
Salah was not angry when he spoke, there was no sense that he had let his mouth run away with him or an idea that the bus journey back to Merseyside from Yorkshire would be filled with regrets inside the head of a player who has plundered 250 goals for the Reds. No, this was a preemptive decision to go nuclear.
But for supporters and colleagues, his astonishing interview only creates more headaches. The 33-year-old has only succeeded in pouring petrol on what looks, at present, like a dumpster fire of a season and Salah’s broadside at Slot and other unnamed club officials has only added to the mess the Premier League champions find themselves in.
Monday afternoon will see Liverpool fly out to Milan before Tuesday night’s important Champions League clash with last year’s runners-up Inter and an embattled Slot could well do without the sideshow that Salah’s words will now inevitably cause.
In that sense, it was selfish from Salah, who has been several rungs below the otherworldly standards he produced so often last season en route to the title. Thirteen months ago when he spoke at Southampton, it was questioned whether that was the right time to do so, with the Reds cruising clear at the summit at the time. It was claimed he could destabilise the title charge at a vital period of the season, even if the man himself disagreed.
His two goals to help see off the Saints in a 3-2 win only strengthened his hand over a new contract that he was desperate to secure. Ultimately, the decision to go public that night worked. He earned the biggest contract of all time at Anfield in April and ended the campaign as a Premier League and Golden Boot winner.
This time, however, there can be little justification for stepping out of line. Salah, like many of his colleagues, has had a poor season and while there is some merit in the idea that taking the best source of goals out of the team represents the unnecessary ‘shock’ option, Liverpool are unbeaten in the three games he has started as part of the substitutes.
It’s understandable after 53 consecutive Premier League games that he might feel aggrieved at having to sit out three on the spin but such are the fluctuations of form at the elite level and at a time when Slot is having to plan ahead for his forward’s weeks at the Africa Cup of Nations, it cannot be argued that the head coach is cutting his nose off simply to spite his face.
Salah was right in his insistence that he is not bigger than the club but the revelation that he has no relationship with Slot now feels like a volley into the court of owners Fenway Sports Group and maybe even the supporters to now pick a side.
At the age of 33 and with around 18 months left on the biggest deal ever handed out at Liverpool, Salah may not like the answer he gets. Just how has it all come to this?
Paul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO’s Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out. Now into his seventh season in the role, Paul follows the Reds home and away, wherever they play - including pre season. He brings you all the latest Liverpool news first each day, plus exclusive interviews and insightful, independent analysis. A journalist with over a decade’s worth of experience, he has worked at the ECHO since 2016.
According to what I googled, Trent only provided 2 assists to Mo last season and 13 in total from 2017 onwards.
Therefore this is a bit of a red herring.
So they are the clubs mouth pieces and rightly so are saying what they think, Mo brought this on himself I read the Joyce piece and there is nothing untoward in it, I feel the same he as crossed the line for me as it is all about HIM!
The entire thing is a hit piece. Language like betrayal, brattish, flamethrower, hand grenade, forked tongue.
No one is justifying what Mo has done but this article goes too far IMO. The discussion in this forum has had more nuance
Yet I agree with all that language, why do it now at this time when we are struggling? we all know he uses the media for his gain not Liverpool’s.
He may be one of our best ever, but he hasn’t acted like it with when and how he did the interview.
What pissed me off the most, was his whole statement was all about him!
Can I just ask you what you were thinking as the game played out and it’s a bit of a crazy second half in particular and you’re sitting on the bench unable to come on?
It is disappointing, because we were leading twice, 0-2 with 40 minutes to go and 2-3 with 10-19 minutes to go.
We did concede silly mistakes and goals. Nice that he was already prepared for how his rant could be perceived. Would like to see some of that counter-pressing on the pitch.
When you say you couldn’t believe it, what couldn’t you believe?
When we went 2 up, I actually thought it would be good to put him and Isak on at some point. Slot made his argument about Endo and trying to protect the lead.
I wonder who he means when he says the club, is it only Slot or more people? And as for promises, nobody can promise he will start “all” games until 2027 and that there won’t be a point in which the team and/or him might struggle and the head coach decides for other players here and there. Those decisions aren’t made in offices in advance. Whether you’re a key player or not, that’s just football reality. Things can change.
What do you know of the situation now?
It’s not acceptable to have competition at this club and get dropped for a few games, if the decision maker decides so? And “always me”, when? This is the first time basically.
He’s definitely not the problem, but he’s part of the problem because the team isn’t performing.
I’m pretty sure he gets a lot of respect for what he has done at this club. Can there be more? There can always be more if you put it like that…
Yes, he does have to go every day fighting for his position because that’s how he continues earning it. Of course, player quality dictates a lot, but a great professional and top trainer like him should know that. Merit in the past is no guarantee for merit in the future.
When you say that about the Brighton game, you mean that possibly it could be your last game, you’d consider your future in January perhaps?
So he thought the only way for us to be together in peace until 2027 is if he basically remains an automatic starter, no matter what?
Is that what is so frustrating for you?
A bit of Love Actually and whatever confusing choice of words…
Last season is the past.
He can absolutely defend himself, but why not also think what’s good for the club? If not the club, the team then? Is he sure this will reflect well among them?
Does this hurt you Mo?
We’re all hurt due to the season we’re having so far.
Not knowing if he’s starting or not shouldn’t be a big deal, plus later on he goes on to say that Slot told him he would not start against Leeds. For me, it’s not a conversation that needs to take place ahead of every game, but naturally, the coaches’ doors should always be open.
The media, fans, the public… isn’t going only after him. I don’t know who didn’t get some criticism this season. For Salah, being one of the key players, it’s natural that he’s a topic because of who he is and also because it’s the first time in his Liverpool career that he hasn’t started the season very well.
Carragher called him out for a lack of appearing more in the media when things aren’t going well, unless he needs something, in negotiations over a contract or whatever. I think more goes into who exactly appears in interviews, but it’s a fair comment.
You had the interest from Saudi Arabia. Is that still on the table?
And he’s not taking the club to a deeper problematic direction with what he’s doing? At least he’s professional over one topic, the one that might be of his interest soon.
Do you see this situation as impossible now with the club to solve? You’re standing here now…
Well I bloody hope it’s not impossible, because that would be childish from all sides. Even if I always have to remind myself that there’s also a lot of egos at that level.
Does it make it doubly frustrating that not only did you not start but you didn’t even go on in the whole match?
I found it interesting and was slightly surprised not to see him come on against Leeds, but yes I can believe it. Perhaps Kane offered more than goals, due to the type of player he is? I don’t remember many periods when Salah didn’t score and when there was, there weren’t many shouts to bench him. There were more shouts to perhaps manage his game time better, questionable whether he would even want that.
Are you disappointed by the team?
When you say about someone wanting you out of the club, who would that be?
I’d say he must have a pretty good idea, but not willing to go that far?
The sporting director?
Mo, have you asked for anyone to sort of communicate and explain the situation to you? Have you actually asked for that?
Take it and swallow it and go home… but what are you doing there, then?
Were you told personally by Arne (Slot) that you weren’t going to be playing?
And you had a meeting?
Did you let your feelings be known then, that you were disappointed about that?
Do you regret signing the contract to stay?
Not sure I trust him in terms of him thinking he would end his career here ahead of signing that renewal, but there you go. If it was more hope, then that’s natural.
Mo, you’re one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history. Can you believe it might end like this?
Because somehow it ends. Maybe this is not the end, but ends are not predictable. Drops of level (be it collective or individual, especially the latter) are sometimes sudden and rapid. Last season is last season. You get awards for all of last season, compared to other options which can be better or worse. Form in the team depends, they’re not all equally out of form, that is impossible. Who’s been giving him all the blame? Almost everyone’s been questioned, criticised or blamed, at least at some point this season.
Is the next step for you to speak with Arne again?
They spoke a lot, but there is no explanation and relationship? It’s sad if they won’t speak again, because we’re in the middle of a season at a club they all love and are motivated to do well.
Has your relationship broken down then?
It’s not good to hear and it will be interesting to hear from Slot what he says on it (though I think I can already predict some answers).
Something changed behind the scenes, like I can’t…
Seriously? Journalists can answer better than him what’s changed behind the scenes? Is he the journalist of the fan all of a sudden?
Do you feel let down from the teammates as well?
That’s nice to hear and hopefully this rant didn’t change it…
I’ve not read the thread fully
My initial reaction last night was that unless it’s all part of a very unlikely grand ruthless plan, Mo didn’t handle it right.
And the club and Slot certainly didn’t treat Mo right - imagine Barca leaving Messi off 3 games straight.
3 straight games not starting our best super-star and possibly PL’s 25-26 best player? I’ll side 51 to 49 with Mo.
Was our best superstar, now acting like a superstar but not performing like one
What happened after the new Messi contract was signed?
Then Messi’s relationship with Barca leadership broke down and he took off.
The moment Isaac was signed, the writing was on the wall but we had no reason to read it. Perhaps.
Feck off. We are not Barca and Mo is not Lionel Messi. Dropping him to the bench (for 2.5 games!!) is not a big deal; he’s been below par and the team have struggled. His response tells us everything and, rather than wanting to work his way back/change his game to suit what the team and coach need, he thinks that he’s not being treated right.
Jurgen’s line about players pushing the bus is apt - at present Mo has shown no willingness to get off his throne and push when the team needs that most. He’s signed his own goodbye and he knows it.
For whatever reason, Mo feels he is being blamed for the woes of this season. For whatever reason, he sees being dropped, not rotated for three matches as an indication that he is personally being blamed for our drop in form.
Every outlet commenting on team selection points to Mo being out as the headline. No comment on Isak not starting on Saturday, just the focus on Mo.
And we don’t know what has been said between him and Arne. Maybe he has been told that his time on the pitch will be limited? We don’t know.
There was a brief discussion over last few days regarding other teams being interested. I believe, that if Mo was available in January that top PL clubs like City or Arsenal etc would sign him in a heartbeat. Because they know that whilst his current form is poor, he is still a top quality player that would enhance most teams. He is fit, has a football brain beyond compassion and still has the eye for goal.
This whole affair is a mess. I think he shouldn’t have ranted on Saturday, its just unseemly. But none of us really know what’s driving this.
Ideal world, him and Arne work this out and both are here for the title drive next season.
But its not an ideal world.
I was just thinking back to last season, and as soon as Trent announced that he was off, Slot played Bradley for the most part, with Trent as backup. Is that what is happening with Salah now? Initially, I was thinking that this was in preparation for AFCON, but what if there is more to it.
The difference, based on Mo’s comments, would seem to be that the sporting director wants him out (maybe he has had offers) and Mo now feels pressured to accept. I don’t know, but Mo’s statement has been doing no one any favours here.
I cannot see either team you mentioned buying him, his age and wages are too high and there has been a massive drop off, his stats don’t lie, apart from maybe assists as that depends on people finishing the chances.
Remember City playing an aged Frank Lampard. Written off by Chelsea supporters. Its amazing how other clubs view players, and Salah’s worth is considerably higher than his own supporters might think.
