Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf is the latest to weigh in on Mohamed Salah’s recent Liverpool outburst
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been criticised for the timing of his recent bombshell interview and reminded that he is not the only player in the squad being called out for poor performances.
Arne Slot’s side have endured a difficult first half of the season, with form after the November international break taking an even deeper hit. The Reds lost back-to-back games at Anfield by three-goal margins against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven.
As a result, the Dutch coach opted to make changes to his starting line-up, which included benching talisman Salah. The Egyptian started matches against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds United on the bench and was only called upon by the manager in one of those games.
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Following a last-gasp 3-3 draw against Leeds at Elland Road earlier this month, Salah spoke to reporters in the mixed zone and claimed he felt he was being unfairly scapegoated for Liverpool’s dismal form. He revealed that his relationship with Slot no longer existed and that a move away from the club in January was potentially on the table.
In the aftermath of his outburst, Salah was left out of the squad entirely for the trip to face Inter Milan before being recalled for the visit of Brighton last weekend, following something of a truce with Slot the day before the game. Now that he has departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, it remains unclear whether he will return to Anfield next month.
Pundits, the media and fans alike have weighed in on Salah’s situation, with many empathising with his position. Others have taken a far less sympathetic view, and former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf is one of those to adopt that stance.
The Frenchman admitted he could not understand the timing of Salah’s interview, given he was just over a week away from departing for AFCON. He also insisted that the 33-year-old is not the only Liverpool player to have been questioned and criticised during the team’s abhorrent run of form.
“I didn’t understand his outburst when he said, ‘I’m the target,’ no, you’re not the target,” Leboeuf said in an interview with the Echo, via BetVictor Online Casino. “(Ibrahima) Konate has been the target, (Florian) Wirtz has been the target, almost every player has been the target because it’s been a shambles in that team compared to last season.
“I don’t know why he went out like that just before the Africa Cup of Nations because it’s not worth it, it doesn’t help anybody. Now he’s left, so what’s gonna happen to him?
“I don’t know what Liverpool’s decision will be but it smells like the end for me and maybe Salah did it because he already had answers maybe from Saudi Arabia and wants to be out of the club.”
