The football world was left stunned when Mo Salah delivered an explosive interview following Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday, claiming his relationship with manager Arne Slot had completely broken down and accusing the club of throwing him “under the bus.” The 33-year-old Egyptian’s extraordinary outburst has plunged his future at Anfield into serious doubt and created the biggest crisis of Slot’s tenure as Liverpool manager.
Salah’s bombshell came after being left on the bench for the third consecutive game, having been an unused substitute at both West Ham and Sunderland before remaining on the sidelines throughout the Leeds encounter. His frustration was palpable as he stopped in the mixed zone to deliver a scathing assessment of his current situation at the club where he has become a legendary figure over eight and a half seasons.
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The Explosive Interview
Speaking to reporters at Elland Road, Salah made no attempt to hide his feelings about his treatment by Liverpool and Slot. His most damning comments centered on his belief that someone at the club actively wanted him gone and that he was being used as a scapegoat for the team’s recent struggles.
“I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame [for the team’s recent struggles],” Salah told reporters in his explosive post-match interview. “I don’t know why but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”
The severity of his allegations became even more apparent as he continued: “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.”
Salah emphasized his confusion and frustration with the situation, stating: “[The situation] is not acceptable to me, to be fair. I don’t get it. It’s like I’m being thrown more under the bus. I don’t think I’m the problem. I have done so much for this club.”
The former Roma winger stressed his earned status within the squad, declaring: “I don’t have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone, but I earned my position. It’s football. It is what it is.”
Perhaps most devastatingly, Salah revealed the complete breakdown of his relationship with his manager: “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”
Salah’s Legendary Status
To understand the magnitude of this crisis, one must appreciate Salah’s extraordinary impact since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017. His statistics are nothing short of remarkable, with 250 goals and 113 assists in 420 appearances helping the club win two Premier League titles, a Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, an FA Cup and two League Cups.
In Liverpool’s history, only Ian Rush with 346 goals and Roger Hunt with 285 have scored more than Salah. Among players during his tenure, only Sadio Mane managed triple figures for goals with 107. His contribution to Liverpool’s success under both Jurgen Klopp and initially under Slot cannot be overstated.
Last season proved to be Salah’s finest individual campaign, as he recorded the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season with 47 contributions, including 29 goals and 18 assists. In all competitions, he managed an astonishing 57 goal involvements with 34 goals and 23 assists, playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s title triumph under Slot’s first season in charge.
The Decline in Form
However, Salah’s form this season has dropped significantly, lending some credence to Slot’s decision to bench him. The Egyptian has managed just five goals and three assists in 19 games across all competitions, a dramatic decline from his usual prolific standards.
Even more concerning is his performance since signing his new contract in April, which reportedly pays him over £400,000 per week. Since that announcement on April 11, Salah has registered only seven goals and four assists in 26 games. By contrast, before signing the extension, he had accumulated 32 goals and 22 assists in 45 games under Slot.
Statistical analysis reveals the extent of Salah’s struggles this season. His goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League have plummeted from 0.77 last season to just 0.32, while his assists per 90 have dropped by two-thirds from 0.48 to 0.16. He’s creating almost the same number of chances (2.25 per 90, down from 2.37), but those opportunities haven’t been as high quality, as evidenced by his big chances created per 90 dropping from 0.72 to 0.40, and his expected assists per 90 declining from 0.24 to 0.15.
His dribbling has also suffered considerably, which may not be surprising at 33 years of age. Salah is averaging 3.8 attempted dribbles per 90 in the Premier League this season, more than any campaign since 2021-22, but he’s only completing 0.9, with a dribble success rate of just 23.4%. That represents his lowest success rate ever in a season at Liverpool, with his next worst being 31.8% in 2023-24.
Most significantly, Salah is taking fewer shots (2.57 per 90, down from 3.48) and generating less than half his previous expected goals (0.31 per 90, down from 0.68). His touches in the opposition box have decreased from 10.5 per 90 to just 7.3, directly impacting both his and Liverpool’s offensive output.
While Salah is averaging slightly more touches per 90 in the Premier League this season (50.9, up from 49.7), fewer of them are coming in dangerous areas. His per-90 averages this season for goals, goal involvements (0.48), shots, shots on target (0.8), shot conversion (12.5%), touches in the opposition box, and dribbles completed (0.9) are all at their lowest since he joined Liverpool in 2017.
Comparing Salah to Teammates
Salah’s argument that he’s being made a scapegoat is likely related to other underperforming players not being taken out of the team, though the only two arguably in that category are Cody Gakpo and Ibrahima Konate. Gakpo has seemingly retained Slot’s trust and, in fairness, has more goal involvements this season than Salah with nine (five goals, four assists). However, he has hit the target with just 11 of his 45 shots in all competitions, with an identical shot conversion rate of 11.1% to Salah.
The two players’ shooting outputs are remarkably similar. Both have scored five goals from 45 shots, averaging 2.66 shots per 90 and having played exactly the same number of minutes (1,523). Each of Gakpo’s five goals have come from shots taken when he’s between the posts, while none of his 29 efforts from outside the left-hand post have found the net—hardly ideal for someone who plays on the left.
Hugo Ekitike, the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker, has been Liverpool’s most potent attacker this season with eight goals, three more than anyone else. However, he has also been left on the bench in three of the last five games as Slot tries to get Alexander Isak into form and fitness. Ekitike could serve as an example to Salah—he hasn’t publicly complained despite similar treatment.
Of Liverpool players who have featured for at least 180 minutes in the Premier League this season, only Ekitike (0.57) averages more goals per 90 than Salah (0.32), while no one averages more chances created (2.25) or chances created from open play (1.93). Only Gakpo (0.22) averages more expected assists per 90, though Gakpo, Isak and Ekitike all average higher expected goals per 90, albeit by small margins.
Regarding defensive contribution—an area where Salah has faced criticism—the Egyptian has made far fewer tackles than any Liverpool forward in the Premier League this season (0.16 per 90). However, only Gakpo (3.01) has won possession more often per 90 than him (2.73), and none have won possession in the opposition final third as often as Salah (0.80 per 90).
Salah also presses extensively. Only Dominik Szoboszlai (751) and Florian Wirtz (733) have recorded more pressures than Salah (592) for Liverpool in the Premier League this season. Of those, 377 have been high-intensity pressures (opponent within two metres), with only Szoboszlai (518) and Wirtz (479) recording more. Salah’s 170 high-intensity pressures in the opposition final third are the most for Slot’s team in the league this season.
Slot’s Response and Justification
Arne Slot faced the media on Monday, clearly surprised by Salah’s public outburst. The Dutch manager revealed that his only communication with Salah since Saturday was to inform him he wouldn’t be traveling to Inter Milan for Tuesday’s Champions League fixture. When asked how that conversation went, Slot simply replied that it was a short one.
“It was a surprise to me when I heard he gave the comments he gave,” Slot admitted during his press conference. He added that he didn’t believe their relationship had broken down: “That is not the way I feel, but he has the right to feel how he feels things. I haven’t felt that at all until Saturday evening for sure.”
Slot noted that even after being dropped, Salah remained professional: “When I didn’t play him anymore, usually players don’t like the manager then that much, but he was really respectful to his teammates and my staff members. He trained really hard, so to an extent it was a surprise to me when I heard the comments he gave after the game.”
The Liverpool boss acknowledged this wasn’t unprecedented behavior: “But it is not the first or the last time when a player doesn’t play he says something like that.”
When asked who Salah might have been referring to with his “thrown under the bus” comment, Slot responded: “The only one who can answer that is Mo himself. I can guess but that is not the right thing to do at this moment. It is hard for me to tell.”
Critically, when pressed on whether Salah had played his final game for Liverpool, Slot admitted: “I have no clue, I cannot answer that question in this moment in time.” However, he didn’t rule out a potential return, stating: “I’m a firm believer there’s always a possibility to return for a player.”
Slot also defended himself against suggestions his authority had been undermined: “I’m calm, polite—but that doesn’t mean I’m weak. It’s up to us as a club to react and you can see he isn’t here.”
The manager explained his tactical reasoning for benching Salah, stating: “We, as a team, struggled this season and more and more last season with the game plans other teams had against us. So I am not talking about the long ball style, which is something teams do against us now. I have tried to come up with my solutions because that is my job.”
When explaining why he didn’t bring Salah on against Leeds, Slot said: “We were 2-0 up, [then] we were 3-2 up. I think it was at that moment of time, more about controlling the game. And we didn’t need a goal at that moment of time. And normally when you need a goal, like against Sunderland, I brought Mo in.”
The Bigger Picture
Liverpool’s struggles extend beyond Salah’s individual situation. The defending Premier League champions have been inconsistent this season, with the 3-3 draw at Leeds—where they twice surrendered leads thanks to a Hugo Ekitike brace being undone by rash challenge from Ibrahima Konate that led to a penalty and ultimately Ao Tanaka’s 96th-minute equalizer—epitomizing their problems.
Konate has been particularly problematic, having made five Opta-defined errors leading to shots in all competitions this season, at least two more than any other Liverpool player. However, his continued selection is likely due to lack of options, with Giovanni Leoni out for the season with a knee injury and Joe Gomez only recently reintegrated by Slot after being needed to fill in at right-back.
Interestingly, Liverpool’s record without Salah starting suggests they don’t necessarily need him. Looking strictly at Premier League games, Liverpool average 2.1 points per game in the 283 matches Salah has started, compared to 2.3 in the 36 he hasn’t. They also average 2.3 goals per game without starting their star man, marginally higher than with him (2.2). They haven’t lost any of the three games without Salah in this recent run.
Gakpo’s continued selection despite similar struggles to Salah appears to stem from Liverpool’s failure to directly replace Luis Diaz, who departed in the summer. The alternatives are Federico Chiesa, whom Slot clearly doesn’t trust to start; Ekitike, who isn’t really a winger and has been played centrally with success; Florian Wirtz, who has been brought in primarily as a number 10; and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who like Chiesa only rates highly enough to sit on the bench.
The Uncertain Future
Salah’s comments about potentially leaving have added urgency to the situation. He will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15, with next Saturday’s Brighton match at Anfield potentially his final game for Liverpool before the tournament—or perhaps ever.
The Egyptian hinted at this possibility, stating: “I said to [my family], come to the Brighton game. I don’t know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now. I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
When asked if it could be his final game for Liverpool, Salah responded: “In football you never know. I don’t accept this situation. I have done so much for this club.”
Were Salah’s Comments Justified?
The question of justification is complex. On one hand, Salah’s contributions to Liverpool over eight years are undeniable and legendary. His 250 goals and 113 assists have helped deliver unprecedented success. Last season, he was instrumental in Liverpool’s title triumph, and his feeling of having “earned” his position carries weight.
However, the statistics clearly show Salah’s significant decline this season. His output has more than halved compared to last season, and at 33 years of age, physical decline appears to be affecting his game, particularly his dribbling. Slot’s tactical adjustments to combat opposition strategies that have exposed Liverpool’s vulnerabilities are reasonable managerial decisions.
The timing and manner of Salah’s outburst are also questionable. Making such inflammatory comments publicly rather than addressing concerns internally undermines team unity and puts additional pressure on a manager already struggling with results. It’s a power play reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United—using public sentiment to force the club’s hand.
Yet Salah’s frustration is understandable if he genuinely feels promises made upon signing his contract extension have been broken, particularly regarding assurances about his role following Liverpool’s significant summer spending on attackers like Ekitike, Isak, and Wirtz.
The reality is that both parties have legitimate grievances. Slot needs to find solutions to Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities and cannot afford passengers, regardless of their history. Salah deserves respect for his legendary status but cannot expect guaranteed starting positions based solely on past achievements when current performance doesn’t warrant it.
Whether this storm blows over like Salah’s previous touchline argument with Jurgen Klopp at West Ham in 2024, or represents the beginning of the end for one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Liverpool, sitting in a disappointing position in the Premier League and facing Champions League uncertainty, could hardly have timed this crisis worse. The coming days will prove decisive in determining whether reconciliation is possible or if Salah’s incredible Liverpool journey is approaching its conclusion.
FAQs
What did Mohamed Salah say about Arne Slot and Liverpool?
Salah claimed his relationship with Slot had completely broken down and accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus.” He stated someone at the club wanted him to get all the blame for the team’s struggles and suggested someone doesn’t want him at Liverpool anymore.
Why was Mohamed Salah benched for three consecutive games?
Arne Slot benched Salah against West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds as part of tactical adjustments to combat opposition strategies exploiting Liverpool’s vulnerabilities. Slot explained he was trying various solutions and when Liverpool were leading, prioritized controlling games rather than adding attacking threat.
How has Mohamed Salah’s form declined this season?
Salah has just five goals and three assists in 19 games this season, compared to 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions last season. His goals per 90 in the Premier League have dropped from 0.77 to 0.32, while his dribble success rate has fallen to a career-low 23.4% at Liverpool.
Will Mohamed Salah play for Liverpool again?
Arne Slot stated he has “no clue” if Salah has played his last game for Liverpool but didn’t rule out a return, saying he’s “a firm believer there’s always a possibility to return for a player.” Salah was not included in the squad for Liverpool’s Champions League match against Inter Milan.
When is Mohamed Salah leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations?
Salah departs for AFCON on December 15, with next Saturday’s match against Brighton at Anfield potentially his final game for Liverpool before the tournament. Salah hinted this could be his last Liverpool appearance, telling his family to come to the Brighton game to enjoy it because he doesn’t know what will happen.
