Salah faces backlash from England legends after Leeds outburst
Mohamed Salah has been condemned by three former England players for going public with his grievances following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday, reports BritPanorama.
Wayne Rooney, Danny Murphy, and Michael Owen all expressed their disapproval of Salah’s remarks made after he was left on the bench for the entire match by manager Arne Slot. This marked the third consecutive fixture in which he did not feature, prompting Salah to comment on his frustration.
Salah told reporters at Elland Road: “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.” He further lamented that the club had “promised me a lot in summer,” yet his current situation contradicted those assurances.
Adding to the tension, Salah indicated a breakdown in his relationship with Slot, stating, “I said many times before I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship.” He suggested that there are internal pressures within the club that are seeking to place blame on him for Liverpool’s poor performance.
Rooney, speaking in his latest podcast, advised Slot to assert his authority and take proactive measures. He suggested that Salah consider stepping away from the team temporarily to allow tensions to cool. “If I was him there would be no way he would be in the team,” Rooney remarked.
Murphy, in a segment on Match of the Day, accused Salah of diverting attention to himself at a critical time for the club. He stated, “By doing what he’s done, he’s causing the manager and the team a problem and he’s making it all about him.” Murphy did acknowledge that it is understandable for Salah to feel “emotional, angry and frustrated” after being benched.
While expressing sympathy for Salah’s sentiments, Owen also underscored the importance of discretion in such matters. Owen suggested that Salah should have refrained from making his frustrations public, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations approaching. He emphasized, “You simply can’t publicly say what you’ve said” and proposed that Salah should focus on his national commitments instead.
As Liverpool sits eighth in the Premier League, following a series of dropped points, the club appears open to discussions regarding Salah’s future amid reported interest from Saudi Arabian clubs. With the Africa Cup of Nations set to commence on December 15, Salah’s situation remains a focal point as he potentially prepares for a prolonged absence from the team.
In a landscape where emotions run high and reputations are often tested, this incident highlights the delicate balance professional athletes must navigate between personal ambitions and the broader team dynamics — a reminder of how quickly a moment of frustration can resonate throughout a storied football club.
