Fallout between Salah and Klopp: Will Liverpool sell their best player?
Saturday’s 2-2 draw between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London Stadium cost the Reds further ground in the Premier League title battle. The match proved what had been obvious for weeks: Liverpool had run out of steam heading into the final stretch. But the missed opportunities weren’t the only thing in the post-match limelight. Headlines were dominated by a furious altercation between star player Mohamed Salah and manager Jurgen Klopp on the touchline.
Salah’s Challenges and Klopp’s Decision
The Egyptian forward was benched by Klopp for the match against the Hammers, and the Reds’ desperation for a goal in the second half was the only reason for his attention. Since coming back from his injury layoff in March, Salah has not been good. The 31-year-old scored goals against Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United (FA Cup), and Sparta Prague to commemorate his comeback. Salah, on the other hand, has not scored in Liverpool’s last six games; his only goal came from the penalty spot in the Premier League against United. The reason Liverpool gave up on this title race was their carelessness in front of goal, as strikers Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah all made mistakes.
They got off to a sluggish start in the disappointing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield, but they battled their way back into the match and had numerous opportunities to change the score. Their opponent’s xG was 1.67, while theirs was 2.08. Liverpool had multiple opportunities to score against Palace, but they wasted them. Nunez missed a particularly good opportunity to score, and Nathaniel Clyne, a former Red, stopped Diogo Jota from scoring a straightforward goal. Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones both committed the error of failing to convert when in close proximity. The game was decided by a goal by Eberechi Eze in the thirteenth minute.
Salah was a spectator in the Eagles game and then put on another lackluster performance in the second leg of their Europa League matchup against Atalanta. He only won one of his five duels, missed one significant opportunity, completed only 72% of his passes, and lost possession ten times, all despite scoring a penalty against La Dea. As a result, Klopp decided to bench Salah for the match against Fulham, and the Reds defeated the Cottagers 3-1. When he was back in the starting lineup for the Merseyside derby, he struggled once more, wasting a significant opportunity and drawing blanks in his duels.
When Salah entered the game as a replacement, Klopp decided to leave him on the bench. Salah appeared unhappy and exchanged words with the manager. Nunez had to be the mediator.
An Angry Star and a Tense Circumstance
It makes sense that Salah was upset about starting on the bench against the Hammers. With 11 goals in 14 appearances, he is the most prolific striker in Liverpool’s history against West Ham. Salah’s poor form and public feud with Klopp only serve to fan the flames of future speculation. The legendary player from Liverpool has 18 months left on his contract, and the team must make a big choice. Should they extend Salah’s contract into his mid-thirties in the midst of a decline, or try to cash in on the 210 goals he has scored in 346 games for the team?
Al Ittihad of the Saudi Pro League is interested in cashing in on him, which might result in a substantial transfer fee. They will go back for him this summer after making an incredible £200 million bid for him in September. Liverpool might invest that money on the team and possibly rebuild with it. It is hazardous, though, to let rid of a player who has contributed significantly to the team’s recent success. It will be challenging to find a worthy successor who can equal his influence. Offering Salah an extension of his contract is the alternative. This choice would keep a top scorer and beloved by the supporters at Anfield. However, there are worries.
The possible effect on squad morale just complicates things more. Salah may feel underappreciated, which may cause friction in the locker room. Conversely, if a club legend is ignored, supporters could become irate.
A New Supervisor, A New Age
The circumstances around Liverpool’s Salah has changed with the departure of Klopp and the appointment of Arne Slot as manager at Anfield. Slot might have an impact on whether or not to sell him. Slot may be able to extend Salah’s contract if he thinks he can bring him back to life and work with him. Salah has a unique capacity to score goals, and a new manager may benefit greatly from his expertise. Salah’s tenure at Anfield may be come to an end, though, if Slot feels a rebuild is required or would rather have a new kind of striker. The way Slot evaluates the team and his tactical acumen will probably be crucial in deciding the Egyptian King’s future.