1 day ago
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A body language expert reckons Mohamed Salah showed "genuine anger" and could be eyeing a "quick exit" from Liverpool.
Salah was left on the bench for the second time in three games during the Reds' 3-3 away draw with Leeds. Following the match, the 33-year-old surprised journalists in the mixed zone by claiming he feels he has been "thrown under the bus" and hinting that Arne Slot's team's home fixture against Brighton next week might be his last appearance for the club, with the Africa Cup of Nations and the January transfer window looming.
Salah maintained he has no regrets about signing his new Liverpool contract in April, but went on to say "there's no relationship" between him and Slot.
After reviewing the interview, Darren Stanton, a former Derbyshire police officer with a psychology degree who used his skills to uncover the truth while interviewing hundreds of suspects, reckons Salah's body language mirrors the frustration evident in his words.
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Stanton said: "Mohamed Salah is an interesting guy to read. He's so expressive. I believe he is being sincere and fully believes what he is saying, that he feels like he's been thrown under the bus for Liverpool's problems.
"His genuine sense of anger and frustration are clear to see. His bottom lip pouts, which is a sign of anxiety and frustration. We do see some smiles from Salah, too, but they're not real smiles. They're fake smiles for masking. I think he's already made up his mind.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he's planning a quick exit. The way he's talking and his expressions, I think he thinks this team and this manager and the club's situation is a lost cause."
Elaborating on why he believes Salah chose to voice his frustrations so openly, he continued: "He's obviously become used to success at Liverpool and now he has issues with the team.
"Whether it's the manager or his teammates. They're no longer complying with what Salah wants or perhaps what he's instructing himself.
"It's clear Salah feels the buck stops with him as far as his own career goes. I personally think he is now looking for his way out, regardless of what happens with the management."
Slot maintained his decision to leave Salah on the bench for a third successive match was purely tactical to counter Leeds' strengths, rather than personal.
The Dutchman explained: "It is never an easy decision because we know what a great player he is. It is up to me to pick the team I think we need today, that is why I made the decision."
He added: "It's not only [about] us, it is also the team we face. In the last games I saw of them, they made it hard for City in the second half. I saw the same against Chelsea. We try to adapt as best as we can to their strength and hopefully we can hurt them."
Liverpool is set to journey to Italy for a crucial Champions League encounter with Inter Milan on Tuesday, followed by an important home game against Brighton on Saturday.
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