Mo Salah blasted as “disgrace” as Liverpool plunged into fresh chaos after explosive interview
Liverpool has been thrown into yet another storm after Mohamed Salah’s fiery interview sparked a tidal wave of criticism from club legends and pundits, with the forward branded a “disgrace” and accused of creating “carnage” behind the scenes.
Salah, benched for Liverpool’s last three matches before being left out entirely for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash at Inter Milan, claimed he’d been “thrown under the bus” by the club. The comments landed like a grenade, and the fallout has been savage.
Jamie Carragher didn’t hold back on Sky Sports, insisting Salah’s outburst was no spur-of-the-moment rant. “I thought it was a disgrace,” he said. “When Mo stops in the mixed zone – and he’s done it about four times in eight years – it’s choreographed between him and his agent to cause maximum damage. Strengthen his position. That’s what it is.”
Chris Sutton went even further on BBC Radio 5 Live, declaring: “Liverpool is carnage because of Mo Salah. He’s made it all about him, he’s been extremely selfish and it’s turned into a civil war at the club.”
Boss Arne Slot, speaking in Milan, admitted he was “surprised” by Salah’s claim their relationship has broken down completely. The Dutchman said he has “no clue” if the 33-year-old will play for the club again, though insisted his authority “isn’t undermined”. Slot added: “After tomorrow we look at the situation. There’s always the possibility to return.”
Salah, due to join up with Egypt for Africa Cup of Nations duty next Monday, is now a major doubt for Saturday’s home game against Brighton – yet another headache for a side who has won just four of their last 15 matches in all competitions. Liverpool’s form has nosedived since September and the heat on Slot is getting properly uncomfortable.
Carragher, who Salah claimed would “go for me again”, was particularly furious with the timing of the comments, landing just hours after Liverpool shipped a late equaliser in a chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds. “He waited for a bad result,” Carragher said. “Everyone connected with the club feels like they’re in the gutter and he’s chosen this time to go after the manager – maybe to get him sacked. The ‘thrown under the bus’ line… he’s tried to throw the club under the bus twice in 12 months.”
Former England captain Steph Houghton agreed the whole thing felt pre-planned. “It couldn’t have come at a worse time,” she said. “He probably expected to come on at some point against Leeds. Didn’t happen. Hurts his ego. It’s poor from him, and it does put others in jeopardy.”
Carragher even urged Salah to stop obsessing over his numbers and help new arrivals like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak bed into the side. “Some of the stick he’s had has been excessive,” he admitted. “But I’ll go after him when he puts himself above the team. The club were right not to take him abroad. Whether he plays again, I don’t know. I hope he does – he’s one of our greatest ever.”
Salah’s form hasn’t helped his case. After firing Liverpool to the title last season, he’s managed just five goals in 19 games this term. Sutton didn’t mince his words: “He hasn’t been the same player. His numbers are down. He’s been left out a few times and suddenly wants different rules. It’s ridiculous. He’s really let himself down.”
Even Wrexham defender Conor Coady waded in, saying Salah’s move stunned him. “Something must’ve gone on behind the scenes,” he said. “But you never, ever go to the press like that. You put your team-mates in jeopardy – that’s the biggest wrongdoing.”
Liverpool now face a massive week. Brighton at home, then the Salah saga hovering over everything, and a manager under pressure before Boxing Day even arrives. Whether Salah plays again for the club remains the biggest question hanging over Anfield – and the answer might shape the rest of their season.