After the dramatic 3-3 draw against Leeds United, tensions have escalated within Liverpool FC, particularly regarding Mohamed Salah. Following his remarks in an interview, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has publicly shared his views, criticizing Salah’s performance and attitude.
Salah expressed frustration after being benched for the third consecutive game, claiming that the club had “thrown him under the bus.” The Egyptian forward, who is Liverpool’s third highest goalscorer, also mentioned a breakdown in his relationship with head coach Arne Slot. In response to Salah’s comments, Souness defended the manager and questioned the forward’s current form.
Souness Defends the Manager
Speaking to talkSPORT, Souness stated, “The first thing that jumps out to me – it is all in past tense not what he’s doing at present or moving forward.” He noted that Salah’s statistics this season are concerning, with only five goals in 18 games. “It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that his numbers are very poor,” Souness added.
The criticism from Souness came after Salah’s remarkable performance last season, where he played a key role in securing Liverpool’s 20th top-flight title. That campaign saw him win the Premier League Player of the Season award, the Golden Boot, and the Playmaker award, making him the first player in Premier League history to achieve all three in a single season. However, his current struggles have led to his omission from the squad for the upcoming Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
Analysis of Salah’s Performance
Souness emphasized that Salah’s attitude towards training must change: “Every day you should train at match tempo so that when the game comes round, you are ready for the intensity.” He believes that as a senior player, Salah has a responsibility to set high standards both on and off the pitch. “He has obviously been coasting and the manager has seen that,” Souness remarked.
Salah’s comments after the Leeds match indicated his disappointment at the club’s handling of his situation. He told journalists, including Paul Gorst from the ECHO, “It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else, every club would protect its players.” Salah defended his place in the team, stating, “I am not fighting for my position every day because I have earned it.” Despite his strong words, he has not been included in the travelling party for the match against Inter Milan.
As Liverpool prepares for this critical Champions League encounter, the focus will be on how the team responds to the ongoing challenges. Souness’s remarks reflect a broader concern about the team’s performance and the need for accountability among its players. The upcoming match will be crucial for both Slot and the squad as they aim to find their rhythm again.
