29 Apr 2024 23:49:41
Maybe I am playing devil's advocate, but I honestly think the incident between Salah and Klopp, is more down to Klopp then Salah.

Now, don't get it twisted I think Klopp benching Salah was the right decision, as his form has not warranted a start. Whether down to rotation, medical advice or sending a message, Klopp was well in the right, in my opinion.

However, if you watch the full replay of the incident, it does tell a story of its own.

At the beginning, Salah is getting ready to come on, he is focused on nothing more than the match. Then, Klopp walks over to him, leans in and says something to Salah. That is trigger for the arguement to take place. If not for Klopp approaching him, and having a quiet word, nothing would have happened.

Now, I don't know what he said, I have heard rumours that Klopp told Salah that if he isn't ready, or willing, then get back on the bench, but can't verify that. The incident was also apparently born from Salah not accepting Klopp's hug and only shaking his hand, begrudgingly.

The Anfield Wrap and other sources have suggested this is what happened, but we will never know until Klopp or Salah reveal it. If Klopp did say that, though, then I have to question what he was thinking.

I know Salah, through his agent, etc, has tried to explore a means of getting a move to a Madrid, Barcelona, etc. However, when it comes to the pitch, Salah has never feigned injury or refused to attend training or matches for Liverpool. He has always wanted to play.

So for people to call him unprofessional, and discredit his entire tenure at Liverpool, I completely disagree with. Admittedly it is a very small percentage, and most have rightly questioned Salah in the situation without labelling him as such. But, those that do, give your head a wobble.

I do, however, agree with the belief that Salah needs to be sold at the end of the season. He has been incredible for us, and I appreciate everything he has done, but his value will depreciate the older he gets or he may feel being out of contract might make him an even more lucrative prospect to a PSG or Saudi club.

Plus, 350k a week, for a player with this level of doubts is a concern. Every poor match he has, that wage will be directed at him in response. That he is not fulfilling his end of the bargain, etc.

As a result, I believe we need to attempt another Coutinho. I. e. Sell our most lucrative asset and use the money to buy 2 first team ready players. Not rotational, not prospects, but genuine starters that can come in and immediately improve the first 11. For me, those positions are right wing and centre back.

1.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 03:30:43
unless Klopp insulted him personally, his family or his dog, there is no reason for that kind of response from Mo.

2.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 08:02:24
Maybe Klopp said "Mo, go and win us the game. Get your finger out of your arse, start playing like you know you can and earn your wages (and there is plenty of it) .

3.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 07:30:01
It looked to me like Klopp went to give Salah a handshake all he does to all the players before going on the pitch and Salah blanked Klopp then eventually Salah just give Klopp the weakest high-five you’ve ever seen and at this point Klopp says something to Salah and it all kicks off. There are other videos out there from behind the dugout that show other footage.

4.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 07:42:31
Whilst I agree that now is probably the right time to move Salah on, diminishing returns and high earner. I don’t understand how anyone, or on what basis people can claim he has attitude issues…. in 6 years the weekend was his first public incident. He struck me as a frustrated figure which you would expect given his and the teams lack of form.
I also think it is a little early to say he is washed, before AFCON he was still our best attacker creating lots for others and scoring himself too.

I think if a decent offer comes in we should accept it but likewise if he sees out his contract, I will enjoy seeing him in a red a shirt for another season and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was our top scorer next year too

It would be interesting to know what the Ed’s would do with our frontline?

5.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 08:44:55
If an offer comes in we could accept it and then put it to Salah.
Or are we into people trafficking now? ?
If he wants to go, let him go and that applies to any player.
He's been out of form for a couple of months but he's still top scorer this season and you don't let a minor disagreement like the one Saturday be the catalyst for him going.
He seems to be a model professional, has been top scorer every year since he joined us and the type of player you want to keep.

6.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 09:06:41
Maybe Klopp said " did you regret turning down the Saudi offer to follow "my project"

7.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 09:10:22
The entire thing is probably a storm in a teacup.

8.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 09:33:17
Knowing how salah gets in a strop every time he is subbed out of a game, i think Mo was probably in a strop from the time the team sheet was handed out. Klopp probably went over to him say something along the lines of "take that anger out onto the pitch" and it riled him. Either way, didn't look good and has only compounded problems from outside looking in.

9.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 10:15:51
He really isn't the type of player you want to keep. Not if clubs are offering nearly 80 million for a player who is on the decline.

We have been way too slow over the years at moving players on when they're passed their peak, and it's cost us. Take the money and reinvest it.

10.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 10:19:24
Just as for Jurgen Klopp, Mohammed Salah's legacy at Liverpool Club is already sealed. He (like Klopp) will always be thought of very fondly (to put it mildly) and certainly as part of the club's greats. Both of them are part of the "combination of factors" that pulled the club out from the relative darkness of the previous two decades. So that's that.

But I didn't like his behaviour during that incident (and I posted earlier about it) . I don't care if you are Pele reborn or Diego Freaking Maradona, you don't reach for your Manager and have to be pushed back and be restrained by your team mate. If you want to leave, that's fine. Do it with class and elegance. And it doesn't matter what the Boss says to you, you listen and swallow it because he's the Boss and he's the reason you are standing there.

11.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 10:55:29
Well if it was over the lack of a hug it certainly is a storm in a teacup.

12.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 11:08:12
Did Salah reach for Klopp and have to be pushed back? No.
His initial gestures were arms open and hands up. To me it showed Salah was confused by Klopp. Klopp carries on and then there is a bit of finger pointing from Salah.
Unless we find out what was said and it turns out to be unacceptable there is nothing in the incident to worry about.

{Ed001's Note - I am with you on this Rigsby.}

13.) 30 Apr 2024
30 Apr 2024 11:31:18
LFC MANGO personally, I think Klopp benched Salah to send a message to the players not pulling their weight of late who also got benched. Also, I think this is another reason regarding Salah specifically that he kept Elliott on for that long. Seriously, the kid was having a pretty terrible time of it and should have been hooked WAY before the 77th minute.

And when Salah (already upset for being benched) ignored Klopp's hug/ handshake, then tempers flared. Granted, Salah should not show up his manager in public that way BUT again, emotions are high right now and so is the level of frustration so in the end, both guys blew their tops. We had this with Mane several times as well where one time, he ignored Klopp's handshake after we battered Utd 4-2 at OT in 20/ 21. Nothing but handbags, me thinks.

14.) 01 May 2024
01 May 2024 08:49:11
First offense from Salah in my opinion.

Definitely unprofessional.
Regarding his attitude, he’s less committed on the field in the last few months but could be form related or could be ANYTHING in his life. So that’s not a big deal.

But whatever your manager says to you, do your talking on the pitch or behind closed doors - that’s professional.