Mohamed Salah Faces Criticism Amid Liverpool Turmoil
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has faced severe backlash from pundits, being labeled a "disgrace" and accused of causing "carnage" at the club following his recent controversial interview.
Salah expressed feeling "thrown under the bus" after being benched for Liverpool's last three matches, a decision that resulted in his absence from the squad for Tuesday's Champions League game against Inter Milan.
The two-time Premier League winner's comments have drawn sharp criticism from former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and ex-striker Chris Sutton.
On Sky Sports, Carragher remarked, "I thought it was a disgrace. Some have characterized it as an emotional outburst, but I disagree. When Mo Salah speaks in the mixed zone, as he has done only four times in eight years, it is carefully orchestrated with his agent to maximize impact and bolster his own position."
Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, stated, "Liverpool is in chaos because of Mo Salah. While he has been honest, he has made the situation all about himself rather than the team. His actions have been extremely selfish, contributing to a civil war within the club that was entirely unnecessary."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed surprise at Salah's claims of a complete breakdown in their relationship, stating he had "no clue" if the 33-year-old would play for the club again. "I don’t feel my authority is undermined; that’s not how I perceive it," Slot added in Milan on Monday. "After tomorrow, we will evaluate the situation. There is always a possibility for a player to return."
Salah is set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations next Monday, and with uncertainty surrounding his future at Anfield, it remains unclear whether he will participate in Saturday's Premier League match against Brighton.
Carragher Critiques Timing of Salah's Comments
Carragher was particularly critical of the timing of Salah's remarks, which followed a disappointing 3-3 draw against Leeds on Saturday. The defending Premier League champions have secured only four victories in their last 15 matches across all competitions, putting increasing pressure on Slot as manager.
"I believe he waited for a poor result to make these comments," Carragher said. "Everyone connected with the club feels disheartened, and he has chosen this moment to target the manager, possibly in an attempt to get him dismissed. The phrase 'thrown under the bus' stands out to me; he has attempted to undermine the club multiple times over the past year, first by criticizing the owners for not offering him a contract at age 32 and now by going after the manager."
Former England captain Steph Houghton echoed these sentiments on BBC Radio 5 Live, stating, "This couldn’t have come at a worse time for Liverpool. It suggests this was premeditated. He likely expected to play against Leeds, and not being included may have bruised his ego. However, this behavior is unacceptable and jeopardizes his teammates. It has sparked discussion, which is likely his intention."
Carragher urged Salah to focus less on his individual achievements and more on supporting teammates like big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, who aspire to replicate his success at the club. "While some criticism of Salah this season has been excessive, I will hold him accountable when he tries to undermine my club off the pitch and prioritizes his own interests," he said. "The club made the right decision in not allowing him to travel abroad, and I’m uncertain about his future with us. I hope he remains because he is one of our greatest players."
Sutton Critiques Salah's Conduct
After an exceptional 2024-25 season that saw him lead Liverpool to the title, Salah has struggled this campaign, netting only five goals in 19 appearances. Sutton commented, "He has had a remarkable career, but this season he has not performed at his best. His numbers have declined, and he seems to expect to be treated differently than his teammates after being sidelined for a few games. I find this situation utterly ridiculous. What positive outcome could arise from his actions? It frustrates me that when Liverpool is thriving, players extol the virtues of team spirit, yet now we see Salah's true colors—selfishness. He has truly let himself down."
"The question now is who will leave first—Slot or Salah? How is this beneficial for someone who professes to love the club?" Sutton added. Wrexham defender Conor Coady also weighed in, stating, "I can only speculate that there are underlying issues we’re unaware of. He should never have gone to the press with his grievances, as it puts his teammates in jeopardy—that is the gravest error he could make in my opinion."