Rift With Slot Widens
Mohamed Salah says Liverpool have stopped standing by him and claims his relationship with Arne Slot has collapsed. He remains on the bench for the full 3-3 draw at Leeds. It is his third straight match without a start. After the match, he says the club blame him for everything. He says he once shared an open, strong bond with Slot. He now describes that connection as gone. He says he cannot explain the sudden shift. He believes someone inside the club wants him pushed aside.
Salah says he loves Liverpool and will always support the club. He says his children do too. He calls the current treatment unacceptable. He says he feels pushed under the bus. He insists he is not the problem. He says he has given too much to receive such treatment. 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 says football can feel 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 became champions. His form has dipped this season. He has four goals in 13 league games. He joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and became central to their success.
Saudi interest remains strong. Al-Hilal keep close watch. Liverpool officials say they remain open-minded.
Slot Explains His Choice
Liverpool fail to hold 2-0 and 3-2 leads at Leeds. Slot says he kept Salah on the bench because he wanted greater control, not more attacking force. He says he turns to Salah when he needs a breakthrough. He says debates around Salah are normal. He says Salah shaped the team for years. He says such a player always draws attention. Salah last started in the 4-1 defeat to Eindhoven in November.
Analysis: Squad Shocked by Comments
If Salah never plays again for Liverpool, he leaves as a legend. He has scored 188 Premier League goals for the club. Only three players have more in league history. He won the league’s top player award last season. He scored 29 goals and added 18 assists. His contract story dominated last season. He signed his extension in April. This season he has five goals in 19 matches. He ended a streak of 53 straight league starts. Slot still calls him a model professional.
Salah rarely speaks in the mixed zone. His choice to talk at Elland Road stuns many. He reacted like this once last season. Then he said he felt more out than in because of contract issues. Team-mates were shocked. They feel the same now.
He says he has given everything to the club. He says someone wants him out. He says he has won every major trophy at Liverpool. He sits behind Rush and Hunt on the all-time list. He now faces a bitter chapter. He soon leaves for the Africa Cup. The key question is whether he returns as a Liverpool player.
Salah’s Extended Reflections
Salah says he could not believe he remained benched for the whole match. He says the 3-3 draw hurts because Liverpool should finish such games. He says they scored early and controlled the match. He says they conceded soft goals again. He says he does not blame team-mates. He says the defence must improve.
He says he has never sat out three straight matches. He says he is deeply disappointed. He says he has offered too much to be treated like this. He repeats he was pushed under the bus. He says he received promises in the summer. He says none were kept.
He says he once had a strong relationship with Slot. He says that is gone. He says he does not know why. He says he believes someone inside wants him out. He says he loves the supporters. He says he told his mother he would not start. He says he invited her to the Brighton match for joy. He says he does not know what comes next. He says he might say goodbye before the Africa Cup.
He says the situation is unacceptable. He says he does not understand the decisions. He says other clubs protect stars. He says Liverpool treat him as the issue. He says he earned respect. He says football can feel unforgiving.
Reporters ask if he has played his last match. He says nothing is certain. He praises Haaland. He says he remains top scorer. He says the treatment hurts more because of that. He says he expects criticism from former players.
He avoids questions about Saudi interest. He says the club shift him into another narrative. He says the situation could still be fixed. He says he still loves Liverpool. He says his future remains open.
He says he has delivered more goals and assists than anyone in his era. He says other clubs defend their stars better. He mentions Kane’s long drought. He says Kane received trust. He says he never receives similar trust. He jokes he is sorry to Kane.
He says he does not know who wants him out. He says he has no names. He says he asked for reasons. He says he heard 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 wanted to retire at Liverpool. He says that plan now feels broken.
He says he is too fit for such an end. He says he won major awards months ago. He says it should not finish like this. He says all players dip in form. 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 issue. He says he shares his experience and backs them fully.
