Liverpool manager Arne Slot is faced with a challenging decision this weekend, as former defender Jamie Carragher states that he “cannot win” when it comes to the situation surrounding Mohamed Salah’s final game for the club.
Carragher argues that Slot lacks the authority to bench the Egyptian star, despite recent tensions between them.
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Salah’s recent social media activity, which many interpreted as a veiled critique of Slot, has drawn attention. The post, which employed language reminiscent of former manager Jürgen Klopp’s era, was liked by several of Salah’s teammates.
This Sunday’s fixture against Brentford is poised to be Salah’s last match at Anfield, marking his departure this summer.
The outcome of this Premier League game is significant, as it could influence the club’s chances of securing a Champions League spot for next season, particularly if Bournemouth can manage a favorable result against Manchester City.
Jamie Carragher believes Slot faces an impossible decision regarding Salah (Richard Sellers/PA) (PA Wire)
Carragher stressed the need to prioritize the outcome of this vital match. He suggested that if the team had already secured qualification, Slot might find justification to make a statement about the long-serving forward.
However, taking such action could further alienate fans who have largely supported Salah, especially as many have expressed dissatisfaction with Slot’s tactical decisions and the team’s recent performances.
“A manager should never undermine their own team, and should always aim for the best possible outcome if they need results,” Carragher explained on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast.
He added, “If there’s no pressure on needing a result and Liverpool is already qualified, that could change things. But given the circumstances Arne Slot finds himself in with the supporters, it’s very challenging to deny Mo Salah any sort of grand farewell.”
“In many ways, he’s in a no-win situation. If I were Arne Slot, I would play it a bit more strategically, especially if I had already secured a good result against Bournemouth and was in a strong position for the Champions League.”
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Salah’s post on social media highlighted his wish for Liverpool to return to being a “heavy metal attacking team,” a clear reference to Klopp’s style. He stated, “That identity needs to be revived and sustained. It shouldn’t be compromised, and everyone who joins this club should adapt to it.”
This isn’t the first instance of tension between Salah and Slot this season. After a disappointing game against Leeds in December, Salah expressed frustrations after being benched amid a slump in form, claiming he felt “thrown under the bus” and stated he lacked a relationship with the Dutch coach.
Though the two appeared to reconcile after Salah’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations, the announcement that his two-year deal would end prematurely suggested that unresolved issues remained behind the scenes.