Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has called for calm and professionalism from Mohamed Salah following the Egyptian forward’s public outburst aimed at manager Arne Slot. The fallout comes after Salah was benched for three consecutive Premier League games, including the dramatic 3-3 draw against Leeds United.
Salah, in a rare post-match interview, claimed he was being “thrown under the bus,” hinting at a rift with Slot and dissatisfaction with his recent treatment at the club.
Reacting to the situation, Owen urged the Liverpool talisman to take the high road.
“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?” the former England striker stated, emphasizing that internal matters should remain in-house, especially during such a sensitive period for the club.
The tension escalated further on Monday with reports from RMC Sport confirming that Salah has been left out of Liverpool’s squad to face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League. Despite participating in training, Salah will not travel to Italy, a decision made jointly by Slot and the Liverpool board.
The club has publicly backed Slot, with senior figures stating that professionalism and team discipline are non-negotiable — sending a clear message that no player is bigger than the club.
As Salah prepares to link up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations, his future at Liverpool appears increasingly uncertain. This incident could mark a pivotal moment in the relationship between Salah and the club he has helped to multiple trophies since joining in 2017.