“I am very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club over the years, and especially last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. Looks like the club threw me under the bus. That’s how I feel. It’s very clear to me that someone wanted me to take all the responsibility.”. This is what Mohamed Salah said last weekend, frustrated by his trajectory with Liverpool. An incendiary outing which quickly went around the football world, leading to the Egyptian striker being sidelined for the Champions League match against Inter Milan. Since then, however, tensions seem to have eased.
Criticized across the Channel, the Reds’ number 11 made his return to the group this Saturday against Brighton, during the 16th day of the Premier League. Surely convinced by the words of the former Chelsea player – with whom he spoke – Arne Slot nevertheless chose to start the 1m75 left-hander on the bench before fate intervened… Injured, Joe Gomez had, in fact, to give up his place in the 26th minute. A godsend for the 33-year-old striker, who received a standing ovation from Anfield when he came into play. Positioned in the right lane of the Liverpool attack alongside Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, Salah finally delivered a generally contrasting performance…
Supported by Anfield and teammates
Determined to silence his detractors, the Egyptian international (107 caps, 61 goals) quickly made his contribution. Percussion, running between the lines, long shots, deep shots… Salah was also involved for his team (3 duels won out of 4 contested, 3 balls recovered). However, he largely failed in the last gesture, like this big miss on a perfect serve from Chiesa (90+2nd) or this completely missed pass at the very end of the match (90+7th). Still lacking in confidence, he nevertheless contributed to the victory of the Reds by placing a corner on the head of Ekitike, author of a double and great architect of this success allowing the Mersey club to move up to 6th place in PL.
Now holder of the record for the most goals (188) and assists (89) for a single team in the history of the Premier League, Salah was also the attraction at the final whistle… After a great connection with the Anfield Kop and warm pats with his partners, in particular Virgil Van Dijk who did not hesitate to defend him in the storm, Salah was logically at the heart of the debates. Asked about his teammate’s possible last match in the Reds jersey, Ibrahima Konaté preferred to send a unifying message. Oulala, in all honesty I don’t know but personally I don’t think so, first said the French defender.
And add to the microphone Canal+ : “today everyone saw how much he loves this club and this club loves him. What happened with Mohamed Salah, we sometimes have to understand the frustration of players who have such a career, who have done so much. Now, I’m not going to go into details. What was said internally was resolved because he was in the group. He’s a player that everyone, everyone loves at this club, in any case I don’t hope that it was his last match today”. Response in the coming weeks. Before that, Salah will join his selection to compete in the CAN.
