After Liverpool’s late equalizer against Leeds United, Mohamed Salah – who has been on the bench for three consecutive games – made explosive remarks to the media post-match, accusing Liverpool of “making him a scapegoat,” claiming “someone doesn’t want him to stay at the club,” and saying “Carragher will definitely criticize me again tomorrow.”
As expected, Carragher lashed out at Salah during a live broadcast.
On Salah’s Post-Match Interview
Carragher:“I think his comments after the game are a total disgrace. Some people say he lost his temper, but I completely disagree. In the past eight years, Salah has stopped for interviews in the mixed zone four times at Liverpool – all carefully planned, with him and his agent, aimed at causing maximum damage and gaining negotiating leverage.
“He did the same 12 months ago, and I criticized him on this show back then. Liverpool were leading the league at the time, and he had just scored a late winner away to Southampton. He jumped out to put pressure on the club, and as a result, banners reading ‘Give Mo the dough’ appeared in the stands for the rest of the season.
“This time, he chose to speak out when the team suffered a devastating late collapse and the entire club is at rock bottom. Personally, I feel he’s taking the opportunity to target the manager and get Slot sacked.”
Salah’s Claim of Being a “Scapegoat”
Carragher:“He says he’s being ‘made a scapegoat by the club,’ but he’s thrown the club under the bus twice in the past 12 months – first at the owners, now at the manager. Don’t forget, it’s these owners who have been paying him hundreds of thousands of pounds a week for years.
“A year ago, when he was 32, he complained about not getting a new contract – he had every right to make demands. But now the team is in their worst run of form since the 1950s, what he should be doing is giving his all to help the club climb out of the mire, not pouring fuel on the flames.”
On Salah’s Remarks
Carragher:“Players like Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé – I don’t put Salah fully in that category, but he’s very close. Players of this caliber deserve special treatment – Liverpool’s privilege for him is: no need to defend, no need to track back. Can you imagine how tough it’s been for the right-backs playing behind him over the past eight years? But we all accepted it because he’s a superstar who scored 250 goals and gave me some of the most unforgettable nights of my life as a fan.
“But when the team is in crisis, these superstars often think ‘the club’s success is all down to me.’ That’s not a problem in itself – it motivates them to score more goals, which is good for Liverpool. The issue is that in times like this, this mindset becomes a problem. Every time he speaks, it’s always ‘how many goals I’ve scored,’ ‘what I did last season’ – it’s all about himself.
“Before coming to Liverpool, Salah was labeled a ‘Chelsea flop’ – that’s a fact. He hadn’t won any major trophies in his career before joining. He’s the greatest Egyptian player of all time, that’s true, but Egypt is the most successful nation in Africa Cup of Nations history, and Salah has never won it.
“This isn’t to belittle him – as I just said, very few people in the world have been better than him over the past eight years. But I want to tell him and his agent: no matter how great a star you are, you can’t do it without the help of your teammates, manager, and fans. You weren’t born a superstar – Liverpool made you what you are.”
On Salah’s Performances This Season
Carragher:“I’ve barely criticized his on-pitch performances this season. If he never scores or assists again, I wouldn’t care – his legacy is already cemented. But the one time I was really disappointed was in the game against Frankfurt – Wirtz needed a goal more than anyone. Salah could have simply laid it off for him to tap into an empty net, then gone over to hug him and say: ‘You’re the one who will lead Liverpool in the future. I don’t need to pad my stats anymore – it means nothing.’
“In their later years, Barnes, Ian Rush, Gerrard – their form wasn’t what it used to be, but the fans’ love for them never diminished. The same will happen to Salah. So stop focusing solely on personal stats and help Wirtz, help the young lads.”
On the Club’s Current Handling of the Situation
Carragher:“I think the club’s decision not to take him on the away trip is correct. Will he play for Liverpool again? I don’t know, but I hope so, because he’s one of the greatest players in our history. But if he continues to make statements like this, if he keeps going down this path, then who cares if he never plays again? His legacy is already untouchable.”
