The world of football stood behind Mohamed Salah in a powerful show of solidarity, with global icons Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland spearheading the support after the Egyptian superstar was largely left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.
Salah, 33, was left out of Arne Slott’s traveling squad for the match against Inter Milan as punishment for an explosive post-match interview in which he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club.
The controversy escalated further when Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher launched a fierce personal attack on Monday Night Football, calling Salah’s actions “disgraceful” and accusing him of weakening the club, among other things.
Salah receives support from footballers on social media
Salah broke his silence on Tuesday with a cryptic social media post. The image, shared without a caption, showed the forward training alone in the gym at Liverpool’s AXA training center while his team-mates prepared in Italy.
While pundits like Carragher took aim, Salah’s allies rallied around him. The post was quickly liked by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, an important gesture from two of the game’s biggest rivals.
The support from inside Liverpool’s dressing room was equally telling. Despite his reported tensions with management, his current team-mates, including Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson, liked his posts.
Former team-mates including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott and Jarrell Quansah also liked the post, suggesting he will remain firmly in Salah’s corner.
Former captain Jordan Henderson and Chelsea legend John Terry publicly supported the winger, commenting with heart emojis.
But the most vocal supporter was Salah’s close friend and former teammate Dejan Lovren.
“The only way to fight injustice is to fight with all your might,” the Croatian defender not only commented, but also clashed with his critics in the comments section.
When fans questioned Salah’s loyalty, Lovren hit back: “We have no idea what’s going on behind closed doors” and “stay in your own league”.
As tensions between Salah and Liverpool continue to rise, support from football’s elite makes it clear that while Salah may be isolated at the club, he is far from isolated in the game.
Three Saudi clubs eyeing Salah acquisition as January sale likely
Relations between the club and Salah have broken down and the player could be sold in January.
Mr Hughes and Mr Edwards are accused of stabbing Salah in the back, which many believe was planned from the beginning.
Three Saudi clubs have shown “concrete” interest in the player: Al Hilal, NEOM FC and Al Qadisia.
Al Hilal are seeking a deal ahead of the Club World Cup and still have Salah high on their list, but Christophe Galtier’s NEOM FC are prepared to launch a formal bid for Salah if he is available at the right price.
Al-Qadosia may be the most ambitious candidate. Backed by Aramco, they have unparalleled financial independence and have established themselves as a rising power in the Saudi Professional League.
If Salah is sold in January, it would be one of the saddest and most controversial endings to the career of a true Liverpool legend.
