Rift Between Salah and Slot
Mohamed Salah says Liverpool have treated him unfairly and that his relationship with Arne Slot has collapsed. He stays on the bench for all 90 minutes in the 3-3 draw at Leeds. It is his third straight match without a start. After the game, he accuses the club of shifting all blame onto him. He says he once enjoyed a strong bond with Slot. Now he says they have no connection. He says he cannot explain the sudden shift. He believes someone inside the club wants him gone.
Salah says he will always adore Liverpool. He says his children love the club too. He calls the current behaviour unacceptable. He says he feels pushed under the bus again. He insists he is not the issue. He says he has given too much to the club 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 wants the respect he deserves. He adds that football can feel ruthless.
He departs for the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December. He says he does not know his future, though he signed a new deal in April. He scored 29 league goals last season as Liverpool won the title. He has not reached that form this season. He has only four goals in 13 league games. He joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017.
Saudi teams have chased him for years. Al-Hilal show serious interest. Liverpool officials say they remain open-minded about his future.
Slot Defends His Decision
Liverpool lose a 2-0 lead and a 3-2 lead at Leeds. Slot says he did not bring Salah on because he wanted more control of the match. He says he brings Salah when he needs goals. He later says debates around Salah are normal. He says Salah shaped the team for many years. He says such a player always sparks discussion. Salah last started in the 4-1 loss against Eindhoven in late November.
Analysis: Shock Inside the Squad
If Salah never plays for Liverpool again, he remains a legend. He has 188 Premier League goals for Liverpool. Only three players in league history have more. He won the league’s top player award last season. He scored 29 goals and produced 18 assists. His contract saga shaped that season. He signed a two-year extension in April. This season he has scored only five times in 19 matches. After 53 straight league starts, he now sits out. Slot still calls him a top professional.
Salah rarely stops to speak after games. His decision to talk at Elland Road shocks many. He did something similar after a match last year. Then he said he was more out than in due to contract delays. Team-mates felt stunned then. They feel the same now.
He says he gave everything for Liverpool. He says someone does not want him at the club. He has won every major trophy with Liverpool. He has tied scoring records and sits just behind Rush and Hunt on the all-time list. Now he faces a bitter chapter. He will soon leave for the Africa Cup of Nations. The major question is whether he returns as a Liverpool player.
Salah’s Full Reflections
Salah says he could not believe he stayed on the bench for the whole match. He says the 3-3 draw hurts because Liverpool should win such games. He says the team scored early and were in control. He says they conceded silly goals again. He says he does not blame team-mates. He says the team must defend better.
He says he has never sat three games in a row. He says he feels deeply disappointed. He says he has given too much for this treatment. He repeats that the club have pushed him under the bus. He says he received promises in the summer. He says those promises were not kept.
He says he once had a strong bond with Slot. He says that bond is gone. He says he cannot explain why. He says he believes someone wants him out. He says he loves the fans and the club. He says he told his mother he would not start. He says he invited her to the Brighton match so he can enjoy it. He says he does not know what comes next. He says he might say goodbye before leaving for the Africa Cup.
He calls the situation unacceptable. He says he does not understand the decisions. He says other clubs protect their stars. He says Liverpool treat him as the problem. He says he has earned respect. He says he earned his place. He says football can be tough.
Reporters ask if he has played his last match. He says no one knows. He praises Haaland. He says he still leads the league for goals. He says the treatment hurts more because of that. He says he expects criticism from former players.
He refuses to comment on Saudi interest. He says the club would push him into another situation. He says the conflict might be fixable. He says he still loves Liverpool. He says he does not know what happens next.
He says he has scored and assisted more than anyone in his era. He says he would receive more defence at another club. He mentions Kane’s long goal drought. He says the media trusted Kane. He says he never receives such trust. He jokes he is sorry to Kane.
He says he does not know who wants him gone. He says he has no names. He says he asked for reasons. He says he got none. He says Slot told him he would not play. He says Slot knows his feelings. He says he does not regret his contract. He says he wanted to end his career in Liverpool. He says that plan now feels broken.
He says he is too fit for such an ending. He says he won major awards months ago. He says it should not end this way. He says every player struggles sometimes. He says he now stands alone.
He says he will not speak with Slot again. He says the relationship is broken. He says something changed behind the scenes. He says team-mates still support him. He says they show respect. He says they are not part of the problem. He says he shares his experience and supports them fully.
