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Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes Mohamed Salah made a mistake by giving an explosive interview following Saturday's 3-3 draw with Leeds, which has now cast doubt over his future at Anfield.
Salah remained on the bench at Elland Road, marking his third consecutive game as an unused substitute under Arne Slot, despite having previously started 53 matches in a row for the Reds. The Egyptian spoke frankly after the match, claiming he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club and revealing a deterioration in his relationship with Liverpool head coach Slot.
Salah's startling comments will leave Slot facing numerous questions about the situation when he addresses the media on Monday evening at the San Siro ahead of Tuesday's Champions League fixture against Inter.
Owen, who secured several major trophies during his spell with the Reds, feels the Egypt international should have avoided speaking to journalists at Elland Road. Writing on X, Owen posted: "Oh @mosalah I can imagine how you feel.
"You’ve carried this team for a long time and won everything there is to win. But this is a team game and you simply can’t publicly say what you’ve said. You’re going to afcon in a week. Surely you bite your lip, enjoy representing your country and see how the land lies when you get back?"
Owen's comments are interesting as he knows a thing or two about causing controversy on Merseyside. He was viewed as a Liverpool legend after breaking through the club's academy and scoring 158 goals for the first team, winning the 2001 Ballon d'Or.
Owen left Liverpool in 2004 for Real Madrid before signing for Newcastle a year later. Yet it was his move to Manchester United in 2009 that angered Liverpool fans, as he went on to score the winner in a Manchester derby and lift the Premier League title.
What did Mohamed Salah say after the Leeds game?
After the draw at Leeds, Salah, who was under no obligation to address the gathered reporters, said: "I don't know what to say. It's kind of funny, I couldn't believe it. It’s a disappointing result for us as a team. We conceded silly goals.
"I could not help my teammates because I am on the bench. I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career, I think. I am very disappointed.
"I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.
"That’s how I feel it. Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench, so I can say they haven’t kept those promises. I used to have a good relationship (with Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship, and I don't know why. Seems like someone does not want me in the club.
I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game. It doesn't matter if I play or not. I'm going to enjoy it. I am just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.
"It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else, every club would protect its players. Now it’s, 'Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team.'
"I don’t think I am a problem. I am not fighting for my position every day because I have earned it. I am not bigger than the club. I am not bigger than anything. But I have earned it."
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