Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has publicly criticised Mohamed Salah following the Egyptian’s startling post-match comments after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday night. Salah, who remained on the bench throughout the contest at Elland Road, questioned his relationship with manager Arne Slot and claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club.
The remarks, which arrived just a week before Salah is due to join Egypt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, have sent shockwaves through the club’s fanbase and the wider football community. Liverpool, who are currently battling for consistency, now face an unexpected internal storm at a crucial point in their season.
Owen, who himself experienced a complex exit from Anfield in 2004, expressed both sympathy and disappointment, urging Salah to have exercised restraint and focus on representing his country before addressing any grievances.
Salah’s Rant: A Relationship in Decline
Salah, 33, delivered an emotional and heated interview in the aftermath of the draw, emphasising that he currently has “no relationship” with Slot. The forward, dropped for a third consecutive Premier League match, said he was shocked not to have been introduced even as Liverpool struggled to control the contest.
He went further, suggesting that promises made to him over the summer by the club were not kept and that someone was intent on shifting blame onto him. Salah stated that being benched three straight times was a first in his career, calling the decision unacceptable given his contribution to the club.
During the interview, Salah revealed his uncertainty over his Liverpool future, adding that he had already invited his parents to attend the Brighton match simply to say goodbye to fans before departing for AFCON. The remarks have raised new questions regarding whether this was frustration or a sign of a deeper breakdown.
Owen’s Response: Sympathy, But Sharp Warning
Responding via social platform X, Michael Owen struck a note of empathy while sharply criticising the winger’s decision to speak so openly. “You’ve carried this team for a long time and won everything there is to win,” he wrote, acknowledging Salah’s extraordinary contribution since joining the club.
However, Owen insisted Salah had crossed a line, stressing that team unity must take priority, particularly during turbulent periods. The club, he implied, is bigger than any individual, regardless of achievements.
The former England striker urged Salah to “bite his lip,” enjoy representing his country, and return once the AFCON campaign is concluded before making any major decisions about his future. In Owen’s view, Salah’s comments were unnecessary and potentially damaging at such a delicate moment.
Liverpool’s Struggles Add Pressure to Slot
Liverpool’s recent form has amplified scrutiny, with only four wins from their last fifteen matches across all competitions. Slot’s tactics and selection decisions have gradually come under the spotlight, particularly his handling of senior players such as Salah.
Conceding a 96th-minute equaliser against Leeds not only cost Liverpool crucial points but also amplified frustrations among supporters already questioning the team’s direction. The manager now faces a delicate balancing act as internal tensions threaten to spill further into public view.
The coming week represents a critical moment in Liverpool’s campaign, with a Champions League tie against Inter Milan and a Premier League fixture against Brighton. The question of whether Salah starts or remains on the bench is likely to dominate the pre-match narrative.
Future Uncertain as AFCON Approaches
Salah’s comments leave Liverpool facing potential repercussions, both on and off the pitch. His claim that “every club would protect its players” and that he is being blamed suggests a loss of trust that may be difficult to repair quickly.
Slot, meanwhile, must decide whether reconciliation is possible before Salah’s departure, or whether the player’s benching is part of a deeper tactical shift. With speculation now swirling around Salah’s long-term future, Liverpool may be forced to confront uncomfortable discussions earlier than anticipated.
What remains clear is that Salah’s legacy at Anfield is substantial, yet his immediate role is uncertain. His return from AFCON may ultimately determine whether this fiery moment becomes a turning point or a passing storm in a long and decorated career.
