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12/09 09:38 CST No words this time, just a photo from Mohamed Salah as his
Liverpool future hangs in doubt
No words this time, just a photo from Mohamed Salah as his Liverpool future
hangs in doubt
By JAMES ROBSON
AP Soccer Writer
MANCHESTER, England (AP) --- With uncertainty hanging over his Liverpool
career, Mohamed Salah sent out another message on Tuesday. This time without
any words.
Following the fallout from his explosive comments on Saturday, Salah posted a
picture for his 85 million followers across Instagram and X of him alone in the
gym at Liverpool's training complex.
Sitting on a workout bench in front of a mirror, Salah is expressionless as he
holds his phone up to take a selfie. Dropped from Liverpool's squad to play
Inter Milan in the Champions League, the Egypt international showed he is still
putting in the work at the gym after reporting for training.
It was certainly more subtle than the statement he issued after being dropped
for the third game in a row as the defending Premier League champion drew 3-3
at Leeds on Saturday.
"It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling.
I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame," he
said during an impromptu interview with reporters outside the stadium.
Salah likely knew the severity of his words --- coming at a point when
Liverpool's title defense is unraveling by the week and there is mounting
scrutiny of coach Arne Slot.
He was left out of the squad that traveled to Milan on Monday, with Slot saying
he has "no clue" whether the Anfield icon would play again for the club.
"I cannot answer that question at this point in time," Slot said. "I am a firm
believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player. I can leave
it with that I think."
Criticism was more fierce from Liverpool great and Sky Sports pundit Jamie
Carragher.
"I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game," Carragher said on
Monday Night Football. "Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I
don't think it was."
Carragher said Salah had chosen "to go for the manager and maybe try and get
him sacked."
Salah has established himself as one of Liverpool's greatest players ---
winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and a host of other
trophies.
Last season he was named player of the year for the third time after scoring 34
goals in all competitions and firing Liverpool to a record-equaling 20th league
title.
He ended months of uncertainty when signing a two-year contract extension in
April, reportedly making him the highest paid player in the club's history. But
his form has dipped during a troubled start to the season for Liverpool, which
has won just two of its last 10 league games.
Salah, who has four league goals in 13 appearances this term, was first dropped
for the game against West Ham last month. He was then on the bench for the
match against Sunderland and was an unused substitute at Leeds.
That led to his outburst --- claiming he felt like "someone doesn't want me in
the club."
He also said he doesn't have "any relationship" with Slot.
"It is not the first or last time a player who doesn't play says something
similar to what he did," Slot said Monday. "But my reaction to that is clear
and that's why he is not here tonight."
Salah is due to head off to the African Cup of Nations next week. He said he
did not know what would happen while he was away.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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