Virgil van Dijk had a clear reaction when Mohamed Salah was previously asked about his Liverpool future amid contract uncertainty
Virgil van Dijk previously showed his leadership qualities during another tense period in Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool career. The forward has caused a stir with his latest outburst after feeling unfairly blamed for the team’s recent poor form.
The Egyptian star enjoyed an inspired season last term as the Reds secured the Premier League title. The 33-year-old was instrumental, scoring an incredible 29 league goals and being named player of the season.
However, Salah was the subject of speculation for most of that campaign as he neared the end of his Liverpool contract, eventually signing a new two-year deal. It was during that period of uncertainty that Van Dijk demonstrated his role as Liverpool captain after spotting Salah speaking to reporters near the team bus.
READ MORE: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah arrives at training ground as Arne Slot fallout set for fresh twist
The incident occurred after the club’s 3-2 away win at Southampton last November, where Salah scored a hat-trick. With his contract situation still up in the air, the Liverpool talisman was answering questions about his future when Van Dijk saw Salah giving an interview and went over to his team-mate.
The pair exchanged smiles as the skipper made his presence known, listening in to Salah’s answers. However, the defender arrived shortly after Salah had already made an admission about his future: “I’m probably more out than in.”
Asked if he was disappointed with the lack of a contract offer, Salah said: “Of course, yeah. I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see.”
While the matter was eventually resolved in April, the Liverpool icon’s future is once again in question after his latest comments. Salah has been named on the bench for Liverpool’s last three games, twice being an unused substitute, including during the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.
Salah was brutally honest in his post-match interview at the weekend. He claimed his relationship with manager Arne Slot had deteriorated and hinted about a future away from Anfield.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time,” Salah said. “It’s the first time in my career I think. I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.
“That’s how I feel it. Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.”
He added: “I used to have a good relationship (with Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. Seems like someone does not want me in the club. I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game.
“It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it. I am just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the Africa Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.
“It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else,every club would protect its players. Now it’s: ‘Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team’.
“I don’t think I am a problem. I am not fighting for my position every day because I have earned it. I am not bigger than the club. I am not bigger than anything. But I have earned it.”
This time around, Van Dijk was unable to monitor Salah’s comments. It remains to be seen what knock-on effects his interview will have on the team ahead of Liverpool’s next game against Inter Milan on Tuesday.
