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Mo Salah says he’s been ‘thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool in lengthy statement after Leeds game

Mo Salah says he’s been ‘thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool in a lengthy statement after the Leeds game on Saturday night.

His future with the Premier League champions is now thrown into doubt and suggested next weekend’s game against Brighton could be his last for the club.

He added that his relationship with Arne Slot had broken down and that “someone doesn’t want me in the club”, telling journalists he was in disbelief he had been left on the bench for the third game running and Slot didn’t see fit to bring him on at as Liverpool blew their two goal lead, going on to draw 3-3.

Can I just ask you what you were thinking as the game played out and it’s a bit of a crazy second half in particular and you’re sitting on the bench unable to come on?

ā€œYeah, it’s kind of, I don’t know what to say, it’s funny but I couldn’t believe it. It’s a very disappointing result for us as a team because we expect to win a game like that.

ā€œWe managed to score two goals in the beginning and the game was going in our direction. But I think we conceded silly goals. Same as we did before, while I’m playing, so nobody can take it that I am attacking my teammates or something because I’m on the bench.

ā€œBut we concede the same silly goals as we did before. So we have to just try to keep the clean sheet and win the game.ā€

When you say you couldn’t believe it, what couldn’t you believe?

ā€œI’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes, I think that’s the third time I’m on the bench. I think it’s the first time in my career but I’m very disappointed. I’m very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club, everybody can see that during the years and especially last season.

ā€œSitting on the bench, I don’t know why, it seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it. I think it’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me in the summer for a lot of promises and nothing. So far, I’m on the bench three games.

ā€œSo I can’t say that they keep the promise. I said that many times before, I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why. It seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.

ā€œBut again, this club I always support it, my kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I will always do. I called my mum yesterday, you guys didn’t know if I was going to stop or not but I knew.

ā€œI called my mum and I told her to come to the Brighton game, it doesn’t matter if I play or not, I’m going to enjoy it.

ā€œWe’ll see what’s going to happen. But in my head I’m going to enjoy that game, if I play or not, if I’m on the bench or not because I don’t know what’s going to happen now.

ā€œI’m just going to be in Anfield, say goodbye to the fans, go to the Africa Cup (of Nations) because I don’t know what’s going to happen when I’m there.ā€

What do you know of the situation now?

ā€œIt’s not acceptable for me to be fair. I don’t know why that happened always to me. I don’t get it. I think if I’m somewhere else, every club will protect its player. I don’t know why I’m in this situation now but again, how I see it now, it’s like you throw Mo under the bus because he’s a problem in the team now.

ā€œBut I don’t think I’m the problem. I have done so much for this club, with the respect I want to get, and I don’t have to go every day fighting for my position because I earn it. People will say, you are not bigger than (the club). I am not bigger than anyone, I earn my position. This is football. It is what it is.ā€

When you say that about the Brighton game, you mean that possibly it could be your last game, you’d consider your future in January perhaps?

ā€œYeah, in football you never know but I don’t accept the situation to be fair. Again I’ve done so much for this club.ā€

Is that what is so frustrating for you?

ā€œAbsolutely. Last season, I’m sorry with all the respect, I love everyone. I love (Erling) Haaland. I will talk about him because I think I know him a little bit. I’m the current top scorer in the Premier League. He’s not yet. He’s going to win it hopefully. It’s fine for him. I love him. He knows that. I’m a top scorer, best player, winning the league in such a style. Iā€˜m the one who has to defend himself in front of the media and the fans, everyone.ā€

Does this hurt you Mo?

ā€œAbsolutely. For the club like this, what I’ve done for the club, yeah it does hurt. You can’t imagine really, after you’ve just gone from home to the club and you don’t know if you’re starting or not. But I know the club. I’m sorry, I know the club too well. I’ve been here many years. So tomorrow you’re going to find [Jamie] Carragher is going to go for me again, again, again. That’s fine.ā€

You had the interest from Saudi Arabia. Is that still on the table?

ā€œErr, I don’t want to answer this question now because the club is going to take me to a different direction, so I don’t want to answer this one.ā€

Do you see this situation as impossible now with the club to solve? You’re standing here now…

ā€œI can’t say it’s impossible but I can say from what I feel, I’ve done so much for the club and I love the fans so much and I love the club so much. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I don’t know.ā€

Does it make it doubly frustrating that not only did you not start but you didn’t even go on in the whole match?

ā€œCan you answer that? Can you believe it? I’ve been in this club scoring more than anyone in this generation I would say. Since I came to the Premier League I don’t think anyone has scored more goals than me or assists in the whole Premier League.

ā€œAnd if I’m in somewhere else, everybody will go to the media and defend the players. I’m the only one who’s not in that situation. Can I give an example?

ā€œIt’s silly, I’m sorry, but I remember a while ago Harry Kane was not scoring for 10 games. Scored one or two goals. Everyone in the media, everybody in the media was like, ā€˜Oh Harry will score for sure’. When it comes to Mo, he needs to be on the bench.ā€

Are you disappointed by the team?

ā€œā€¦I’m sorry Harry. I’m sorry Harry Kane.ā€

When you say about someone wanting you out of the club, who would that be?

ā€œI don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.ā€

The sporting director?

ā€œDon’t put the word in my mouth. I don’t know. From the situation I see, that’s it.ā€

Mo, have you asked for anyone to sort of communicate and explain the situation to you? Have you actually asked for that?

ā€œI did, I did, but I don’t see an explanation. Like I knew yesterday that I’m not going to play and that’s it. Take it and swallow it and go home.ā€

Were you told personally byĀ ArneĀ (Slot) that you weren’t going to be playing?

ā€œYeah, he told me yesterday.ā€

And you had a meeting?

ā€œI had a meeting with him, yeah.ā€

Did you let your feelings be known then, that you were disappointed about that?

ā€œHe knows my feelings. He knows my feelings.ā€

Do you regret signing the contract to stay?

ā€œOh, imagine how bad that I have to answer it. Honestly, that’s hurt. Even the question hurt. This club, signing for this club, I will never regret it. I thought I’m going to renew here and end my career here, but this is not according to the plan. So I’m not going to, I’m not regretting signing for the club for sure.ā€

Mo, you’re one of the greatest players inĀ Liverpool’s history. Can you believe it might end like this?

ā€œSomehow it will end, but the thing in my head is like, why should it end this way? Because I’m too fit. Just five months ago, I was just winning every individual award. So why should it go this direction? And I’m sorry, everybody in the team is not in his form. But I’m the one who has been getting all the blame and has to defend himself now.ā€

Is the next step for you to speak with Arne again?

ā€œNo, I don’t think so. We spoke a lot, so nothing to speak about.ā€

Has your relationship broken down then?

ā€œYeah, there is no relationship between us. It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden, there is no relationship.ā€

Something changed behind the scenes, like I can’t…

ā€œYou can answer it better than me. I don’t know.ā€

Do you feel let down from the teammates as well?

ā€œNo, no, no. These guys, they know how much I love them. They know how much I support them, even inside before the game, after the game. I’m an experienced player. I’ve been in their position. I always support them. I always give them experience, but no, no. The players have no… They didn’t…They are not connected to the situation at all. Even they support me so much. So, no. There’s just much love between us as players and respect.ā€

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