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Mohamed Salah posted a photo of himself training alone at Liverpool's facility on Tuesday, while his teammates prepare for the Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
Salah was informed by head coach Arne Slot that he wouldn't be involved against Inter on Tuesday, due to his critical comments following Saturday's 3-3 draw against Leeds United. For the second time in three games, Salah was an unused substitute, and he slammed Liverpool and Slot after the game.
The entire sports community is waiting to see what happens next, but fellow soccer stars Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have shown solidarity with Salah. Both players liked Salah's Instagram post on Tuesday, and the photo has received over 1.1 million likes in nine hours.
Salah is one of the most prominent soccer stars in the world and has been a hero for Liverpool since joining the club in 2017. Salah agreed to a two-year extension toward the end of last season, but both he and Liverpool have suffered a dip in performance levels this campaign.
Slot made the bold decision to bench Salah during a difficult run, despite him playing almost every minute under the previous head coach, Jurgen Klopp. After Slot refused to bring Salah on against Leeds, the Egyptian snapped in the mixed zone after the game.
"The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career," Salah said. "I'm very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club down the years, and especially last season.
"Now I'm sitting on the bench, and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame."
Salah alleged that the blame has been pinned on him, and he also said that he's earned the right to play given his legacy. Salah then said he had no relationship with Slot and demanded that he shouldn't have to fight for his position.
"The respect, I want to get. I don't have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it," Salah added. "I am not bigger than anyone, but I earned my position. It's football. It is what it is."
The situation has since escalated, with all soccer analysts weighing in, and fans taking sides between Slot and Salah. However, although there has been an internal clash at Liverpool, both Salah and Slot want the same outcome.
Salah wants to continue playing for Liverpool, honoring the contract he wanted to sign last season. Slot also needs Salah in his squad, but there will need to be a significant discussion once Liverpool returns from Italy.
"He has every right to feel what he feels, but he doesn't have the right to share it with the media... he has that right but it's up to us to react on it," Slot said on Monday.
Slot later added: "I'm a firm believer that there's always a possibility to return for a player. So, I can leave it with that, I think."
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