It is with a smile and in a more festive atmosphere that Jürgen Klopp would certainly have liked to write the last chapter of his history at Liverpool. But for that, we will come back, because his team has lost everything in recent weeks. Engaged on all fronts just a month ago, the Reds were unable to keep up the pace: elimination in the FA Cup against rival Manchester United, humiliation in the quarter-final of the Europa League against Atalanta (0-3, 1-0), and probably loss of the English champion title after a setback in the derby against Everton this week (2-0) and a draw against West Ham this Saturday (2-2) . A meager consolation prize: the League Cup victory against Chelsea in February.
But beyond yesterday’s new negative result, which now forces Liverpool to rely on the Higher Power, this meeting against the Hammers also leaves traces for its narrative. Substitute at kick-off, Mohamed Salah clashed with his coach Jürgen Klopp as he entered the game. Words, visibly in unpolished language, were exchanged between the two men, which Salah preferred not to comment to the press, under penalty of “set fire”. Obviously, this reaction from the Egyptian international, at a time when his performances have been at half-mast for weeks, has only inflamed the English press, stinging with him this Sunday.
Mohamed Salah takes it for his rank
Jacob Steinberg, famous columnist for the newspaper The Guardiandid not wear gloves when discussing the situation of the former Roma player: “it was quite a scene. Instead of holding back, the Egyptian had to be held back by two of his teammates. He did not serve as a model for diplomacy. It would have been far better for Salah to provide the same kind of spark on the pitch during a period that saw Liverpool’s season go up in smoke than on the pitchhe judges, to the point of inviting Liverpool to part ways with their player: Salah is part of the malaise. He’s not easy to replace, but selling him would perhaps help Arne Slot, who will soon be confirmed as Klopp’s replacement, so he doesn’t have to worry about managing a player whose ego seems to have become uncontrollable next season.» Reds legend Jamie Carragher also hit out at Salah’s attitude before calling for calm: “Mo was silly with his mixed zone comment but let’s let them sort it out and enjoy the last few weeks together. They helped each other enormously in everything that was achieved at the club!”
Lewis Steele, Daily Mailtalks to him about a wasted start for Jürgen Klopp: “the relationship between Mo Salah and Jurgen Klopp is at its lowest point at the worst possible time… And this falling out will spoil an emotional goodbye for Liverpool”. For his part, Ryan Taylor of Daily Mirrorpoints out the attitude of Salah, already in a bad mood before the meeting according to him: “his sulky body language and furious facial expression already spoke volumes on the bench. He was way off the pace during the title race. “Liverpool must now ask themselves whether they made the right choice in rejecting a monstrous £150m offer for the player.” On the antennas of TNT Sportsformer Rangers striker Ally McCoist also targeted the striker: “He was one of the best players we have seen in this league, but the reality is that his form has seriously dropped and it seems to me that he could move.” Only Mohamed Salah has the answer to this theory. And we would all like to be introduced to the scent too.
