Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has received public support from his Egypt coach Hossam Hassan after he criticised the club and said he might have played his last match for them.
Salah made strong comments after he was left on the bench for the 3 3 draw at Leeds. He told reporters he was upset about recent selection decisions and suggested he may not return to Liverpool after the Africa Cup of Nations.
He said, ‘I’m very disappointed, I’ve done so much for this club, everyone can see that, over years, especially last season, sitting on the bench I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it.’
He added, ‘There is no relationship between us. It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden, there is no relationship.’
Salah also described his shock at being unused again. ‘I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,’ he said. ‘That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think.’ He claimed promises made to him over the summer had not been kept and said, ‘Someone wants me to get all the blame.’
Hassan posted a photo of himself with Salah on Instagram with the caption ‘Always a symbol of determination and strength.’ The Egypt coach has relied on Salah since taking charge in February 2024, and the forward remains central to his plans for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah is due to join Egypt for the tournament later this month, with their first group game on December 22. He is available for Liverpool’s next match against Brighton before he leaves for national team duty.
Salah said he plans to enjoy the next game and to thank the fans at Anfield before the tournament, saying, ‘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’m 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.’
The situation leaves uncertainty over Salah’s short term future at Liverpool and highlights tensions between the player and manager Arne Slot.
Leave a comment