Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has publicly expressed his frustration with his recent lack of playing time and a perceived breakdown in his relationship with manager Arne Slot, casting doubt on his future with the club. The Egyptian star, who was the Premier League’s top scorer last season, has been benched for three consecutive matches and voiced his discontent following Saturday’s draw with Leeds United.The situation arises as Liverpool currently sits eighth in the Premier League standings and prepares for a crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan next week.
Mohamed Salah has sparked controversy within the Liverpool dressing room after being an unused substitute for a third consecutive match. The Egyptian forward didn’t feature at all in the 2-0 win against West Ham and Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Leeds, adding to his limited minutes – just 45 against Sunderland earlier in the week. The Premier League’s leading goalscorer from last season, with 29 goals in 38 appearances, is a shadow of that form this year, and following the match against Leeds, he publicly voiced his frustrations with club management and manager Arne Slot.
Speaking to reporters, and as reported by major British newspapers including The Guardian and The Sun, Salah didn’t hold back. He even questioned his future with the Reds ahead of the upcoming European winter transfer window. “I can’t believe… I’m on the bench for 90 minutes. It’s the third time I’ve been on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am very, very disappointed. I have done a lot for this club over the years, especially last season. Now I am on the bench and I don’t know why,” the Egyptian international stated.
The 31-year-old, who is also a key figure for the Egypt national team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup – where they’ll face Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand in Group G – has five goals and three assists in 19 appearances this season, a significant drop from his previous output. He went on to accuse Slot of a breakdown in their relationship: “I have said many times that I had a good relationship with the coach and, suddenly, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why. For me, it is unacceptable. I don’t know why this is happening to me. I don’t understand. I think if this was anywhere else, any club would protect its player. Now I see it like this: ‘They sacrifice Mo because now he is the problem of the team.’ But I don’t think I am the problem. I have done a lot for this club.”
Salah insisted that “it’s very clear that someone wants me to take all the blame,” but declined to name who he believed was responsible, suggesting he’s being made a scapegoat for the team’s recent struggles. Liverpool has won just one of their last six matches, currently sits eighth in the league table – 10 points behind leaders Arsenal (33) – and Slot’s position is under increasing scrutiny. “I don’t know why I am in this situation now, but again, that’s how I see it. It’s like they throw you under the bus because now you are a problem in the team, but I don’t think I am the problem.”
A four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner and Player of the Year last season, Salah joined Liverpool in the summer of 2017 and has since become the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer.
“I have done a lot for this club to earn the respect I want and I don’t have to fight every day for my position because I have earned it. I am not better than anyone, but I have earned my place. That’s football. It is what it is. I am the top scorer, the best player, I won the league in style, but I am the one who has to defend myself in front of the media and the fans. I have been at this club scoring more goals than anyone of this generation. I would say that since I came to the Premier League, I don’t think anyone has scored more goals than me, or given more assists,” he added.
Salah also expressed his discontent and feeling of being unsupported by the club, drawing a comparison to a former Tottenham striker now at Bayern Munich. “I have said many times that I had a good relationship with the coach and, suddenly, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why. For me, it is unacceptable. I don’t know why this is happening to me. I don’t understand. I think if this was anywhere else, any club would protect its player. Now I see it like this: ‘They sacrifice Mo because now he is the problem of the team.’ But I don’t think I am the problem. I have done a lot for this club.”
The Egyptian international stated that “it’s very clear that someone wants me to take all the blame,” but didn’t specify who he was referring to, positioning himself as a scapegoat for the team’s current form. Liverpool has won only one of their last six games and currently sits eighth in the league. “I don’t know why I am in this situation now, but again, that’s how I see it. It’s like they throw you under the bus because now you are a problem in the team, but I don’t think I am the problem.”
“Imagine how bad I feel having to answer that,” Salah said when asked if he regretted signing a new contract. “It hurts, even the question hurts. This club, signing for this club, I will never regret it. I thought I was going to renew here and finish my career here, but this is not what was planned, so I don’t regret signing for the club, that’s for sure.”
Salah signed a contract extension through 2027 in April. “The club promised me a lot in the summer and, until now, I have been on the bench for three matches. It seems like the club is betraying me. That’s how I feel. The only thing I can say is that they fulfill their promises.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot explained his decision to keep Salah on the bench during a press conference: “We were winning 2-0, we were winning 3-2. It was more about controlling the game and we didn’t need a goal. Normally, when you need a goal, like last week against Sunderland, I bring on Mo.”
Salah has two matches remaining with Liverpool before joining the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will run from December 21st to January 18th in Morocco. He will be in Group B with South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Liverpool will face Inter Milan in Italy in the Champions League on Tuesday and host Brighton at Anfield on Saturday – a match that could mark the star’s farewell appearance for the club.
“Yesterday I told my mother: ‘Come to the Brighton game. I don’t know if I will play or not, but I will enjoy it.’ In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what’s going to happen now. I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup. I don’t know what will happen when I get there,” he said. When pressed, he didn’t rule out a departure from the club: “In football, you never know. I don’t accept this situation. I have done a lot for this club.”
The Guardian reported that Mohamed Salah “has been criticized for his lack of defensive work,” with Liverpool currently the sixth-most conceded goals in the Premier League and having recently lost 1-4 to PSV at home in the Champions League. That match marked the last time the African player started in the lineup.
