Liverpool’s title collapse took another poor turn this afternoon, as superstar Mohamed Salah and legendary departing boss Jurgen Klopp clashed on the touchline.
Klopp and Salah: A rift emerging?
The pair’s argument came shortly after West Ham’s Michail Antonio had scored to make it 2-2.
Salah had been benched for the trip to east London, after a much criticised performance from the Egyptian in Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby.
Salah was standing on the touchline in the 79th minute, waiting to be substituted on, when Klopp turned to the 24-goal man and made a comment. Salah reacted and the pair exchanged words furiously, before being pushed away by teammates Joe Gomez and Darwin Nunez, preventing the situation from escalating.
Competitive disagreements are fairly commonplace in football. And with the Reds’ title challenge withering away before the pair’s eyes, tempers would have understandably been high.
But concerningly for Liverpool supporters, the pair have had very different responses when asked about the incident post-match.
Klopp told reporters: “We spoke already in the dressing room. For me, that's done.” When asked if Salah shared his view, the Liverpool manager added: “That's my impression, yes”.
But when Salah strode through the mixed zone on the way out of the stadium, the Egyptian declined interviews, only enigmatically saying “If I speak today there will be fire.”
Salah is not the only Liverpool player to be visibly frustrated in recent weeks, with even skipper Virgil van Dijk criticising teammates after the 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Could Liverpool be hit with a crippling double departure this summer?
Jurgen Klopp revealed earlier this year he would be leaving Liverpool after eight and a half years of leading the club.
Liverpool are in advanced talks to bring Feyenoord manager Arne Slot to Merseyside, but with Salah’s relationship with his manager, and wider club souring in recent weeks, the Egyptian could also end up in the departure lounge this summer.
Salah has come under heavy fire for his performances in the run in, with just one goal in his last six appearances.
The 31-year-old’s form in 2024 has not reached the same heights as he achieved earlier in the season, and some fans have expressed their frustration with the winger.
Salah has just one year left on his deal. With a big transition coming for the Reds, Salah may feel it is time to move on to make the most of the remainder of his glittering career.
