Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. AFP
Salah, 33, did not start in Liverpool’s 3–3 draw against Leeds on Saturday and confronted reporters after the match with an unusually emotional reaction that cast doubt over his future at Anfield.
“I can’t believe it,” he told Viaplay. “To sit on the bench for 90 minutes – I think this is the third time. It’s the first time in my career. I’m very disappointed. I’ve done so much for this club. I don’t know why I’m on the bench. It feels like the club is throwing me under the bus.”
He repeated his frustration in another comment to Viaplay: “To sit on the bench for 90 minutes – that’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career. I’ve done so much for this club over the years, especially last season. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how it feels.”
Salah said Liverpool had “promised [him] a lot in the summer." "Now I’m on the bench, so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.”
He also said his relationship with manager Arne Slot has deteriorated. “I used to have a good relationship with him. Now we don’t have any relationship, and I don’t know why. It seems like someone doesn’t want me at the club.”
With the Africa Cup of Nations beginning later this month and renewed interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, Salah hinted that Brighton’s upcoming visit to Anfield could be his farewell appearance.
“I called my parents and told them to come to the Brighton game,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it and say goodbye to the fans before AFCON because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
Salah insisted he has “earned” his place in the team and rejected the idea that he must constantly fight for his position. “If I were somewhere else, every club would protect its players. Now it’s: ‘Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem.’ I don’t think I’m a problem. I’m not bigger than the club, but I have earned my place.”
He also referred to criticism from pundits and comparisons with other players. “I love Erling Haaland, but I am the current top scorer in the Premier League. Harry Kane once had 10 games without scoring, and everyone said he would score. Now it’s: ‘Mo needs to be on the bench.’”
Asked whether he regrets signing his contract extension in April, Salah said: “Even the question hurts. I thought I was signing to end my career here. Now this is not according to the plan. Five months ago, I was winning awards. Why go in this direction?”
Salah declined to comment on the reported Saudi interest. “I don’t want to answer that because the club will take me in a different direction,” he said. “I love the fans so much, and I love the club. I don’t know what is next.”
He stressed his teammates are not part of the dispute. “They support me so much. There is love and respect between us. They know how much I help them before and after games. This situation is not on them.”
Liverpool have not commented publicly on Salah’s remarks. Slot’s side have won only one of their last five Premier League matches.
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