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Alan Shearer has confessed that he can empathize with Mohamed Salah's frustration at his current situation at Liverpool, but firmly believes the player should have kept his grievances private. The 33-year-old launched into a fiery tirade after being left on the bench during the 3-3 draw against Leeds United last Saturday.
Having only played 45 minutes across Liverpool's last three matches, Salah was visibly upset as he navigated the mixed zone at Elland Road, making no secret of his feelings. He expressed feeling scapegoated by the club and claimed to have no relationship with Arne Slot.
Both Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker, former footballers themselves, have weighed in on the matter, with Shearer revealing he experienced a similar situation, albeit handled differently.
On the Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer admitted: "I get his frustration and anger and I totally understand the way he will be feeling. I had a similar situation when Ruud Gullit left me out [at Newcastle United] and wanted me out of the club."
Lineker interjected, asking: "You didn't say anything publicly though, did you Alan?"
Shearer responded: "No I didn't, I don't think you can and that's why I think he's sort of got it wrong on this occasion. Mo Salah has been unbelievable for that football club. I get how he may look at it, but the bigger picture is no one - I don't care who you are - is bigger than the club.
"It's a really difficult situation for the manager and him, it probably is best that he goes away for AFCON to try and clear his head, start games again and try to get his frustration out.
"Then, hopefully he'll come back into a more settled situation where Liverpool are winning.
"What I will say is the manager has got a choice of who to play and if he doesn't play Salah, the manager has to then win matches and I know they won at West Ham, but the last two results against Leeds United and Sunderland.
"So when the manager does leave big players out, he has to get the results to justify it and at the minute they're not getting it. So it is a very difficult situation for Liverpool. But, he should not come out and say those things."
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Lineker had earlier stated: "I can understand why he's got the hump and is upset because I would be and I know Alan would be and obviously Alan had a sort of something similar thing.
"Although I'm with him and for what he's done, he should be given a little bit more respect by the manager, certainly when Leeds made it 2-2, I was shocked he didn't go on. But, I just think to do it publicly is a little unwise."
Liverpool return to action in the Champions League this week when they face Inter on Tuesday. Slot is due to hold a press conference later today where he will undoubtedly be asked about Salah.
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