Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has urged Mohamed Salah to “reverse away” from his recent outburst, following the Egyptian forward’s public criticism of manager Arne Slot and the club. Salah’s explosive comments about being “thrown under the bus” after being left on the bench during Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds have raised questions about his future at Anfield.
Salah, who was excluded from Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League win over Inter Milan, expressed frustration at his perceived strained relationship with Slot. “I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship,” Salah told reporters after the Leeds match. His words have since sparked speculation about a potential departure from Liverpool, despite signing a lucrative contract extension earlier this year.
Steven Gerrard, speaking to TNT Sports, acknowledged Salah’s disappointment over being sidelined but urged him to handle the situation with more care. “He’s obviously really upset he’s not playing, which I respect. A couple of lines about throwing people under the bus, wrong. Need to reverse a little bit away from that, to deal with that with the manager,” Gerrard said.
The fallout from Salah’s comments comes amidst a difficult season for both the player and the club. Liverpool, under pressure, are currently languishing in 10th place in the Premier League. Salah, once the team’s talisman, has found the net just four times in 13 league appearances this season. His dip in form has added to the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.
Gerrard, who has experienced his own share of player-manager conflicts during his playing days, emphasized that such tensions are common in football. “I’ve seen this and I’ve lived it with (Luis) Suarez when he fell out with Brendan (Rodgers) face to face. I’ve been there and done it myself,” Gerrard remarked. He also expressed hope that Salah would recognize his emotional reaction and mend his relationship with the management. “We’ve all had head loss as players, where we’ve done emotional things.”
Despite his frustrations, Salah’s importance to Liverpool cannot be overstated. Gerrard reminded fans and the club alike that Salah remains one of the best players in the Premier League. “Liverpool need Mo Salah back playing well, scoring goals because he is the best player, the best scorer, and he will help them get out of this,” Gerrard stated, urging both sides to reconcile for the good of the club.
Salah’s recent outburst has also caught the attention of clubs abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Sources from the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund have expressed interest in signing Salah during the upcoming transfer window, though no official offer has been made yet.
Looking ahead, Salah is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Brighton. His absence could put further strain on an already struggling Liverpool side, which will need to address its issues both on and off the pitch if it hopes to salvage its season.
The situation surrounding Salah is more than just a clash between player and manager; it highlights the broader challenges facing Liverpool this season. With tensions rising, the next few weeks could prove crucial in determining whether Salah remains a key figure at Anfield or decides to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
