Jamie Carragher has doubled down on his criticism of Mohamed Salah following the Liverpool star's explosive interview after their 3-3 draw against Leeds United and subsequent omission from the squad that faced Inter Milan in the Champions League. The Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit initially labeled Salah's comments a "disgrace," accusing the Egyptian of attempting to undermine manager Arne Slot and prioritizing his own position over the club's.
Carragher's initial criticism came on Monday Night Football, where he stated Salah was deliberately trying to cause "maximum damage" with his remarks, suggesting a calculated move with his agent. He highlighted the timing of the interview, coinciding with a poor result and a general feeling of negativity around the club, as evidence of Salah's self-serving intentions. Carragher also reminded Salah that his career had been elevated at Liverpool, referencing his unsuccessful stint at Chelsea and lack of major international trophies with Egypt.
Salah's outburst followed a match against Leeds where he was an unused substitute, leading him to claim he felt "thrown under the bus" by Slot and that he had "no relationship" with the manager. These comments reportedly stemmed from frustration over being benched in recent games and a perception of being scapegoated for the team's struggles. In response, Slot dropped Salah from the squad that traveled to Milan for their Champions League match.
Despite some backlash against his strong words, including criticism from Salah's former teammate Ahmed Elmohamady, who called Carragher a "disgrace" and an "average" player, Carragher has reiterated his stance. Elmohamady defended Salah, highlighting his achievements with Liverpool and his contributions to the Egyptian national team. He argued that Salah wasn't given a fair chance at Chelsea and has since "rewritten his story through hard work, humility, and world-class performances".
Following Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Inter Milan, Carragher addressed the situation again, acknowledging the strong reaction to his initial comments. While he offered a partial apology to Salah if he had "upset" him, he maintained that the player needed to "behave himself off the pitch". He also expressed frustration with a social media post from Salah on the day of the Inter game that didn't mention the important match.
Carragher has also clarified that his criticism wasn't intended as a personal attack but rather a reminder that success requires the collective effort of the club, players, and fans. He emphasized that Liverpool has been amazing for Salah, and Salah has been amazing for Liverpool.
The controversy has divided Liverpool fans and sparked debate about Salah's future at the club. With the Africa Cup of Nations approaching, and Liverpool seemingly performing well in Salah's absence, questions remain about whether he will play for the club again. Some reports suggest a January exit is increasingly likely. Liverpool had previously held discussions with Carragher about the tone of his analysis, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding his opinions on the club.
