Mohamed Salah rowed with Jurgen Klopp on the touchline (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
During Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with West Ham, Jurgen Klopp and Mo Salah got into a heated argument on the touchline. Several former players have shared their opinions on the exchange.
When Mo Salah gets into an intense argument with manager Jurgen Klopp, you can be sure something is wrong at Liverpool.
These two were among the key players during the heyday of the German leader. However, during the 2-2 draw with West Ham at the London Stadium, things seemed to go wrong.
Darwin Nunez acted as a mediator between Salah and Klopp as the latter was getting ready to replace him. After admitting that they had discussed things in the dressing room, Klopp allayed fans’ concerns about a potential falling out, but Salah insisted there would be “fire” if he spoke to media.
“That’s unfortunate.”
Among the first to comment on the incident was Alan Shearer. The former Newcastle player thinks Salah had good reason to be upset about being benched.
He made the following statement while appearing on Match of the Day: “We don’t know what Klopp said to him there, but he said something that infuriated him. He’s clearly got a right hump when it comes to being excluded, and probably should. He’s been incredible, even though he hasn’t reached the same heights as Mo Salah over the years.
“Ignores Jurgen, gives a brief round of applause to the Liverpool supporters, and proceeds directly down the tunnel, but we can only speculate as to what Jurgen said to him. Given how many times Mo has saved Liverpool and been their star, I can understand if he’s hit his rough patch.
“Out of 25 league starts, he has 17.” If you were anyone else, you would find that to be absolutely astounding. It’s unfortunate that things will end that way.”
Alan Shearer offered his verdict on the dispute between Jurgen Klopp and Mo Salah ( Image: BBC Match of the Day)
“The sole explanation…”
Jamie Carragher, a legend of Liverpool, had a somewhat different perspective. He asserted that Salah might have been the real cause of the quarrel.
“The only reason a manager would be unhappy in this situation is the player took too long to be ready to come on,” he wrote on social media.
“It didn’t appear good.”
Peter Crouch, a different former Red, also shared his opinions about the event. He concurred with Shearer that the Egyptian’s grievances stemmed from his benching against West Ham.
It didn’t look good, he said. I’m not sure I understand exactly what they’re saying, but it didn’t look good and didn’t seem right for the club.
“Listen, Mo Salah will be furious because he starts most of Liverpool’s games. His being on the bench will infuriate him. It never pleases a manager or a true key player to see a player like that who is expected to start unhappy.”
“Inside closed doors.”
Ally McCoist, Crouch’s coworker on TNT Sports, wasn’t entirely sure what the argument was about, but she was concerned that it was happening in front of supporters.
Not good at all, he said. Especially when one of Mo Salah’s teammates has to step in to stop him from returning for another bite. That kind of stuff belongs behind closed doors; it doesn’t look good.
“Ego clash”
Stephen Warnock, a former left-back for Liverpool, made a similar suggestion and expressed worry about how it would impact the two players’ relationship moving forward. “It is not good to see at all,” he continued.
“There are two individuals who hold equal significance for the football team. The two must have a respectful relationship and acknowledge each other’s contributions to each other’s
“It has been approaching.”
In light of this worry, former Premier League player Gabby Agbonlahor has speculated that Salah may now consider moving away following his disagreement with Klopp. He said, “I think it’s been coming from Salah,” on talkSPORT. Salah, buddy, isn’t a sub. Salah can be benched if you’re rotating players. But for Liverpool, Salah has 210 goals and 86 assists.
“You don’t give him 12 minutes, mate, in a tough game against West Ham.” On the sidelines, he’s probably thinking, “Twelve minutes?” Jurgen, come on, I’m Mo Salah; without me, you wouldn’t have taken home a trophy.
“Without Salah, they never would have taken home a trophy. Salah has performed admirably for that team. Where is the deference to authority? And is upsetting players now a problem for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team for the upcoming season?
“Talk of Salah’s departure is present. Is Salah now affected by this? You cannot blame your star player for being on the sidelines when you have to win a game in a title challenge and you are only giving him 12 minutes. I believe Klopp insulted Salah when he said that.
“I fail to see.”
Clinton Morrison also supported suggestions that Salah might consider leaving Anfield before the upcoming campaign. “He’s not in brilliant form at the moment, I was at the Merseyside derby – he missed some big chances,” he stated. “Those are still Salah’s numbers.
“The other two aren’t scoring, which is why you’re noticing it right now. It’s okay, back when he had Mane and Bobby Firmino. Diaz and Nunez are squandering significant opportunities, while Mohamed Salah is the focus of attention.
“So, that exchange didn’t seem to go well. We are unaware of what was stated. His decision to not play is disappointing. It is imperative that you have your best players on the field, even if they had a remote chance against West Ham. That is so annoying.
