Liverpool’s internal tensions escalated this week after Mohamed Salah’s explosive public comments triggered a wave of fallout involving former players, pundits, and current teammates. The saga began when Salah, who did not feature in Liverpool’s 3–3 draw against Leeds, claimed the club had “thrown him under the bus.” His remarks accused unnamed figures within the club of undermining him, breaking promises made in the summer, and even attempting to shift blame for Liverpool’s poor form onto him.
Salah said he was stunned to be left on the bench for the entire match—an experience he said had almost never happened in his career. He added that he once had a strong relationship with manager Arne Slot, but that it has since deteriorated without explanation. With frustration evident, Salah suggested that someone within the organisation wants him gone and is engineering circumstances to make him appear responsible for the team’s struggles.
The dramatic statement prompted a fierce response from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher. On Monday, Carragher delivered an intense eight-minute critique accusing Salah of selfishness and of choosing to speak out at a moment when the club was at a low point emotionally and competitively. He argued that Salah’s comments appeared designed to strengthen his own position rather than support the team or its embattled manager. Carragher implied that Salah, who has been benched several times this season, should accept greater responsibility and exhibit leadership rather than airing grievances publicly.
Carragher also referenced eras of Salah’s career—his limited opportunities at Chelsea and Egypt’s inability to win major tournaments—as evidence that football “is not about the individual.” These comments provoked outrage among Salah’s supporters and former colleagues, particularly those from Egypt.
One of the sharpest responses came from former Aston Villa and Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady, who played alongside Salah for nearly a decade. Elmohamady castigated Carragher on social media, calling him a “disgrace” for belittling Salah’s achievements. He stressed that Salah did not “fail” at Chelsea but rather was never given a fair chance. He highlighted Salah’s transformation in Italy before his rise to legendary status at Liverpool—becoming one of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards, Egypt’s greatest footballer, and a model of consistency. Elmohamady rejected the notion that Salah had not delivered for his country, emphasising his vital role in helping Egypt reach two World Cups after decades of absence.
Escalating his attack, Elmohamady referenced past moments when Carragher himself had been criticised or embarrassed by major football figures—such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and José Mourinho—arguing that the former defender did not have the standing to lecture Salah.
As the backlash grew, Carragher softened his tone. Speaking on CBS Sports on Wednesday, he issued a direct apology to Salah, saying he did not intend to upset him and reiterating his admiration for Salah as a Liverpool player. But Carragher added that Salah “needs to behave himself off the pitch,” suggesting that despite his apology, his core criticism remained unchanged.
Carragher’s earlier comments had accused Salah of intentionally choosing a moment of vulnerability for the club—an emotional last-minute draw and a period of historically poor form—to criticise the manager. He argued that a player of Salah’s stature should be helping the team through adversity, not deepening internal turmoil. He also rejected Salah’s insinuation that Carragher had been overly critical of him during his career, asserting that he had never criticised Salah’s work ethic, goal droughts, or decision-making on the pitch because Salah had earned immense respect through his performances. Carragher said he only took issue when Salah “threw the club under the bus.”
Salah’s frustration continued to show as he trained alone during Liverpool’s trip to Milan for a Champions League match, posting images of solitary workouts both in the gym and outdoors. Slot offered little clarity on how the rift might be resolved, but after the match he hinted at the possibility of reconciliation. In conversation with fellow Dutchman Clarence Seedorf, Slot questioned whether Salah believed he had made a mistake and who—player or manager—should take the first step toward repairing the relationship.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was more direct, stating that he planned to speak with Salah soon but declined to say whether Salah should apologise. Van Dijk acknowledged the seriousness of the tensions, mentioning that Salah has been vocal for several days and that it is now up to both the club and the players to manage the situation privately. He noted that Salah will soon depart for Africa Cup of Nations commitments, adding urgency to the need for unity. Despite the turmoil, Van Dijk insisted that internal discussions would remain private and that players must “brace against the outside noise.”
The Salah–Carragher conflict has illuminated deeper fractures at Liverpool. The club is enduring one of its worst periods of form in decades, Slot’s authority is under scrutiny, and supporters are divided. Salah’s outburst suggests distrust between senior players and the new regime, while Carragher’s commentary reflects long-standing debates about leadership, accountability, and the club’s identity. With tensions high and the season entering a critical phase, Liverpool now faces the dual challenge of stabilising results on the pitch and navigating the fallout from its star player’s rare and deeply public show of dissent.
