Rift With Slot Deepens
Mohamed Salah says Liverpool no longer stand by him and claims his relationship with Arne Slot has collapsed. He stays on the bench for the entire 3-3 draw at Leeds. It marks his third straight match without a start. After the game, he says the club blame him for everything. He says he once shared a strong, open bond with Slot. Now he says that bond is gone. He says he cannot explain the sudden change. He believes someone at the club wants him pushed aside.
Salah says he loves Liverpool and always will. He says his children feel the same. He calls the treatment unacceptable. He says he feels thrown under the bus. He insists he is not the issue. He says he has offered too much to be treated this way. He says he earned his place and should not fight daily for it. He says he is not bigger than the club. He says he only seeks respect. He says football can feel unforgiving.
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 won the title. This season he has four in 13 games. He joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and became a central figure.
Saudi clubs remain interested. Al-Hilal lead the chase. Liverpool say they remain open-minded.
Slot Explains His Decision
Liverpool surrender 2-0 and 3-2 leads in Leeds. Slot says he did not bring Salah on because he wanted more control, not more goals. He says he turns to Salah when he needs a breakthrough. He says debate around Salah is normal. He says Salah has shaped the team for years. He says such players always draw attention. Salah last started in the 4-1 loss to Eindhoven in November.
Analysis: Team Stunned by Outburst
If Salah never plays for Liverpool again, he leaves as a legend. He has 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, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists. His contract saga defined the year until he signed in April. This season he has five goals in 19 matches. He ended a streak of 53 league starts. Slot still calls him a model professional.
Salah rarely speaks in the mixed zone. His decision to talk at Elland Road surprises many. He did something similar last season when he felt uncertain about his future. Team-mates were shocked then and feel the same now.
He says he has given everything to Liverpool. He says someone wants him out. He says he has won every major trophy with the club. He sits behind Rush and Hunt on the all-time list. He now faces a difficult moment. He soon leaves for the Africa Cup. The big question is whether he returns as a Liverpool player.
Salah Shares His Frustration
Salah says he could not believe he stayed on the bench for 90 minutes. He says the 3-3 draw hurts because Liverpool should win such matches. He says they started well and controlled early phases. 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 missed three matches in a row. He says he is deeply disappointed. He says he has offered too much for this treatment. He repeats he was pushed under the bus. He says the club made promises in the summer. He says none were kept.
He says he once had a strong relationship with Slot. He says that is now broken. He says he does not know why. He says he believes someone wants him out. He says he loves the supporters. He says he told his mother he would not start. He says he brought her to the Brighton match to enjoy the moment. 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 their stars. He says Liverpool treat him as the problem. He says he earned respect. He says football can feel harsh.
Asked if he has played his last game, he says nothing is certain. He praises Haaland for his scoring form. He says it hurts more because he still leads the scoring charts. He says he expects criticism from former players.
He avoids questions about Saudi interest. He says the club try to steer him into another story. He says the situation could still be fixed. He says he still loves Liverpool. He says his future is open.
He says he has produced more goals and assists than anyone in his era. He says other clubs defend their big players. He mentions Kane’s scoring drought. He says Kane kept trust. He says he never receives similar trust. He jokes he apologises to Kane.
He says he does not know who wants him out. He says he has no names. He says he sought answers. He says he received 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 extension. He says he wanted to retire at Liverpool. He says that dream now feels broken.
He says he is too fit for such an ending. He says he won major awards recently. He says it should not end like this. He says form dips happen. He says he now feels alone.
He says he will not speak with Slot again. He says the relationship has collapsed. 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 guides and supports them fully.
