Mo Salah

[Jas]

Apparently still no decision made.

Just seen a notification, 'Unlikely to travel' according to Sky

[kingfunk]

Just seen a notification, 'Unlikely to travel' according to Sky

Yeah. On SSN app now.

[Exiled_red]

Mohamed Salah is out of Liverpool squad. He is not travelling to Italy for the game against Inter. Decision made by the board and Arne Slot.

[@FabriceHawkins]

Interesting if true, team selection would be down to the manager, if the board are getting involved it sounds like some deal is in progress or has already been done.

[BootRoom]

They should put him on baggage handling duty for the trip.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Nope. But what I would say is that if it’s true that they do want him out and if it’s true what Mo is saying is happening (being suddenly ghosted) then neither side have covered themselves in glory imo. Whatever you think of him, his overall positive impact on this club has been astounding, and it deserves to be respectfully resolved by both parties.

But he was not ghosted. During his interview Salah was asked if Slot had spoken to him in person before he was benched and he said that Slot told him in private and that he had a meeting with Slot and told why Slot was benching him and given the chance to express his own opinions on it back to Slot.

So by the sounds of it he was treated like a senior player of high standing and given the courtesy of being told in advance that he was going to the bench and also given a one on one meeting.

Slot was also very complimentary about Salah in his own PC's before and after the games that saw Salah on the bench. So anything else from Slot was being done behind closed doors and nothing negative was being said about Salah publically.

[Tatterdemalion]

But he was not ghosted. During his interview Salah was asked if Slot had spoken to him in person before he was benched and he said that Slot told him in private and that he had a meeting with Slot and told why Slot was benching him and given the chance to express his own opinions on it back to Slot.

So by the sounds of it he was treated like a senior player of high standing and given the courtesy of being told in advance that he was going to the bench and also given a one on one meeting.

Slot was also very complimentary about Salah in his own PC's before and after the games that saw Salah on the bench. So anything else from Slot was being done behind closed doors and nothing negative was being said about Salah publically.

Absolutely, all this "I don't know why" nonsense is a bit grating.

[peterbread]

Do you think the players would think as highly of him after his rant on the weekend? And they can see for themselves the lack of effort in tracking back & his form falling off a cliff so they probably expect him to spend time on the bench with the talent that we’ve bought.

Look at what Dom said about things staying in the dressing room. There was already so much focus on the club due to form and he’s just added to that. Great way to help your teammates out as a senior player.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Absolutely, all this "I don't know why" nonsense is a bit grating.

Full transcript of what he said and put the questions being asked in red.

“Yeah, it’s kind of, I don’t know what to say, it’s funny but I couldn’t believe it. It’s a very disappointing result for us as a team because we expect to win a game like that.

“We managed to score two goals in the beginning and the game was going in our direction. But I think we conceded silly goals. Same as we did before, while I’m playing, so nobody can take it that I am attacking my teammates or something because I’m on the bench.

“But we concede the same silly goals as we did before. So we have to just try to keep the clean sheet and win the game.”

Question: When you say you couldn’t believe it, what couldn’t you believe?

“I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes, I think that’s the third time I’m on the bench. I think it’s the first time in my career but I’m very disappointed. I’m very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club, everybody can see that during the years and 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. I think it’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me in the summer for a lot of promises and nothing. So far, I’m on the bench three games.

“So I can’t say that they keep the promise. I said that many times before, I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why. It seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.

“But again, this club I always support it, my kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I will always do. I called my mum yesterday, you guys didn’t know if I was going to stop or not but I knew.

“I called my mum and I told her to come to the Brighton game, it doesn’t matter if I play or not, I’m going to enjoy it.

“We’ll see what’s going to happen. But in my head I’m going to enjoy that game, if I play or not, if I’m on the bench or not because I don’t know what’s going to happen now.

“I’m just going to be in Anfield, say goodbye to the fans, go to the Africa Cup (of Nations) because I don’t know what’s going to happen when I’m there.”


What do you know of the situation now?

“It’s not acceptable for me to be fair. I don’t know why that happened always to me. I don’t get it. I think if I’m somewhere else, every club will protect its player. I don’t know why I’m in this situation now but again, how I see it now, it’s like you throw Mo under the bus because he’s a problem in the team now.

“But I don’t think I’m the problem. I have done so much for this club, with the respect I want to get, and I don’t have to go every day fighting for my position because I earn it. People will say, you are not bigger than (the club). I am not bigger than anyone, I earn my position. This is football. It is what it is.”

When you say that about the Brighton game, you mean that possibly it could be your last game, you’d consider your future in January perhaps?

“Yeah, in football you never know but I don’t accept the situation to be fair. Again I’ve done so much for this club.”

Is that what is so frustrating for you?

“Absolutely. Last season, I’m sorry with all the respect, I love everyone. I love (Erling) Haaland. I will talk about him because I think I know him a little bit. I’m the current top scorer in the Premier League. He’s not yet. He’s going to win it hopefully. It’s fine for him. I love him. He knows that. I’m a top scorer, best player, winning the league in such a style. I‘m the one who has to defend himself in front of the media and the fans, everyone.”

Does this hurt you Mo?

“Absolutely. For the club like this, what I’ve done for the club, yeah it does hurt. You can’t imagine really, after you’ve just gone from home to the club and you don’t know if you’re starting or not. But I know the club. I’m sorry, I know the club too well. I’ve been here many years. So tomorrow you’re going to find [Jamie] Carragher is going to go for me again, again, again. That’s fine.”

You had the interest from Saudi Arabia. Is that still on the table?

“Err, I don’t want to answer this question now because the club is going to take me to a different direction, so I don’t want to answer this one.”

Do you see this situation as impossible now with the club to solve? You’re standing here now…

“I can’t say it’s impossible but I can say from what I feel, I’ve done so much for the club and I love the fans so much and I love the club so much. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I don’t know.”

Does it make it doubly frustrating that not only did you not start but you didn’t even go on in the whole match?

“Can you answer that? Can you believe it? I’ve been in this club scoring more than anyone in this generation I would say. Since I came to the Premier League I don’t think anyone has scored more goals than me or assists in the whole Premier League.

“And if I’m in somewhere else, everybody will go to the media and defend the players. I’m the only one who’s not in that situation. Can I give an example?

“It’s silly, I’m sorry, but I remember a while ago Harry Kane was not scoring for 10 games. Scored one or two goals. Everyone in the media, everybody in the media was like, ‘Oh Harry will score for sure’. When it comes to Mo, he needs to be on the bench.”

Are you disappointed by the team?

“…I’m sorry Harry. I’m sorry Harry Kane.”

When you say about someone wanting you out of the club, who would that be?

“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.”

The sporting director?

“Don’t put the word in my mouth. I don’t know. From the situation I see, that’s it.”

Mo, have you asked for anyone to sort of communicate and explain the situation to you? Have you actually asked for that?

“I did, I did, but I don’t see an explanation. Like I knew yesterday that I’m not going to play and that’s it. Take it and swallow it and go home.”

Were you told personally by Arne (Slot) that you weren’t going to be playing?

“Yeah, he told me yesterday.”

And you had a meeting?

“I had a meeting with him, yeah.”

Did you let your feelings be known then, that you were disappointed about that?

“He knows my feelings. He knows my feelings.”


Do you regret signing the contract to stay?

“Oh, imagine how bad that I have to answer it. Honestly, that’s hurt. Even the question hurt. This club, signing for this club, I will never regret it. I thought I’m going to renew here and end my career here, but this is not according to the plan. So I’m not going to, I’m not regretting signing for the club for sure.”

Mo, you’re one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history. Can you believe it might end like this?

“Somehow it will end, but the thing in my head is like, why should it end this way? Because I’m too fit. Just five months ago, I was just winning every individual award. So why should it go this direction? And I’m sorry, everybody in the team is not in his form. But I’m the one who has been getting all the blame and has to defend himself now.”

Is the next step for you to speak with Arne again?

“No, I don’t think so. We spoke a lot, so nothing to speak about.”

Has your relationship broken down then?

“Yeah, there is no relationship between us. It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden, there is no relationship.”

Something changed behind the scenes, like I can’t…

“You can answer it better than me. I don’t know.”

Do you feel let down from the teammates as well?

“No, no, no. These guys, they know how much I love them. They know how much I support them, even inside before the game, after the game. I’m an experienced player. I’ve been in their position. I always support them. I always give them experience, but no, no.

"The players have no… They didn’t…They are not connected to the situation at all. Even they support me so much. So, no. There’s just much love between us as players and respect.”

[Kenneth]

You had the interest from Saudi Arabia. Is that still on the table?

“Err, I don’t want to answer this question now because the club is going to take me to a different direction, so I don’t want to answer this one.”

It's a bit cryptic. Is it if he answers the question then the club will take him another direction (whatever that means)? Or the club are taking him in a another direction currently? Something else?

[Kenneth]

The PR would always be bad as well, no matter how he framed it. The journos want access to Liverpool next season and are less likely to worry about getting access to Mo..

Coming back to this, I don't agree. Mo could have been pissed off in private, had his arguments, demanded to leave, have an exit deal sorted before Brighton, made the announcement on the basis of it being time to move on, without going off on anybody, and got a glorious send off by anfield. Have his grumble once he's left, write a book or something. The drama was totally avoidable.

[Tatterdemalion]

Coming back to this, I don't agree. Mo could have been pissed off in private, had his arguments, demanded to leave, have an exit deal sorted before Brighton, made the announcement on the basis of it being time to move on, without going off on anybody, and got a glorious send off by anfield. Have his grumble once he's left, write a book or something. The drama was totally avoidable.

Well I agree, had he kept it private. I meant once he spoke publicly about it, the press would always side with the club.

[BG1973]

He's ****ed it up but nobody will care too much in a couple of months.

[Doc_Piptorious]

He's ****ed it up but nobody will care too much in a couple of months.

I supose that depends on whether Mo is still at the club or not in a few months, and if he is still at the club then whether the grumblings are still ongoing or not.

[Kenneth]

Surely he won't come back to us after AFCON.

[Cerbie]

Surely he won't come back to us after AFCON.

If there is no other way for him to get his £400k pw, he’ll be back and noisier than ever.