1 hour ago
18
Former Liverpool stars Daniel Sturridge and Luis Garcia agreed that the timing of Mohamed Salah ’s bombshell interview was poor.
On Saturday, Salah hit out at Liverpool and Arne Slot after being named on the bench for the third time in a row against Leeds, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Speaking to reporters after the game, he accused the club of "throwing him under the bus" and claimed his relationship with the head coach had broken down.
On Tuesday, before Liverpool snatched a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League, the shadow of Salah’s outburst lingered. Liverpool fans in attendance at the San Siro made it clear whose side they were on as they serenaded the team's incumbent head coach.
In the home end, there seemed to be some trolling on show, as an Inter fan held up an Egypt flag which carried the words: “Mo Salah – the Egyptian king.” Salah's absence from the squad contributed to Slot's decision to play Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak together in a front two against Inter.
Slot opted to set his team up in a diamond formation, with Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Curtis Jones lining up behind the forward duo. Salah was nowhere to be seen, having been left out of the squad, and his absence was once again a talking point.
Garcia, who won the 2025 Champions League with Liverpool, somewhat understood Salah but was disappointed in the timing. The Spaniard told Amazon: “It's bad timing coming out after the draw when the team is not winning, not playing well. I understand the frustrations and he isn't feeling loved or being left on the outside by not being played, but I don't think it was the right.
“I’ve never been a fan of the dressing room being shown on the outside. If that third goal from Szoboszlai stays [as the winning goal] he doesn't come out. He said he's spoken to family and friends and has been analysing the situation, I don't think the timing of it was right.”
Sturridge somewhat agreed, suggesting the timing of his former teammate’s outburst was not good. He said: “The reaction is absolutely terrible. Every single player has to fight for their spot, that's where it starts.
“How he handled it is not right. But he is also a player who is voicing his frustration and anger because he feels he can help and help the team to win games right now.
“Five months ago, he was the best in the league, won all the awards, so individually, he will feel his performances can be there, and he will come good again.
“It's reconcilable now, time will do that, going to AFCON, but it is, of course, a moment that surprised everyone, and I would like the club to repair their relationship.”
English (US) ·