Mohamed Salah has reportedly apologized to his Liverpool teammates following a controversial interview given after the 3-3 draw against Leeds United. The Egyptian winger had publicly criticized manager Arne Slot and the club, expressing his frustration at being benched for the third consecutive game.
According to SPORTbible, teammate Curtis Jones revealed that Salah addressed the team to apologize for any negative impact his comments may have had. Jones told Sky Sports that Salah said, "If I've affected anybody or made you feel any sort of way, I apologize". Jones also emphasized Salah's positive attitude and the team's continued support for him, stating, "He was the exact same Mo, he had a big smile on his face and everybody was exactly the same with him".
Salah's initial outburst led to him being dropped from the squad for the Champions League match against Inter Milan. However, he returned for the subsequent game against Brighton, suggesting that the situation had been resolved. Despite the controversy, sources close to the Liverpool squad indicated that Salah still commands respect in the dressing room. Many teammates were not shocked by the interview, especially after Salah's disappointment at being benched against Leeds was apparent. They also sympathize with his frustration at being repeatedly overlooked, understanding that Slot's decisions are driven by the team's recent poor results rather than personal issues.
Andy Robertson confirmed that he had spoken with Salah after the Inter Milan game, expressing hope for a positive resolution. Robertson also noted Salah's professionalism, stating that Salah wished the team well before the Champions League match. Virgil van Dijk echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Salah's continued support for his teammates despite being left out of the squad.
The situation highlights the tension between Salah's desire to play and contribute and the manager's need to make strategic decisions for the team. As one agent close to a senior player noted, Salah's contributions to the club ensure he retains significant goodwill within the team. The apology and the team's reaction suggest a desire to move past the incident and focus on upcoming fixtures.
