Gary Neville has said he sympathizes with both Mohamed Salah and Liverpool amid the current controversy, comparing the situation to Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious exit from Manchester United in 2022.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slott met with Salah on Friday to decide whether he will feature in Saturday’s game against Brighton, Salah’s last chance to play for Liverpool this year before departing for the AFCON with Egypt.
It has been decided that Salah will join the team playing for the Seagulls. He has been on the bench for three games in a row and was left out of Liverpool’s squad for midweek’s Champions League game against Inter Milan after a shocking interview last Saturday put his future at the club in doubt.
Salah did not come on as a substitute in the 3-3 draw against Leeds, but he expressed his frustration at being left out of the slot.
Three years ago, Ronaldo left United for the second time after breaking with the club’s standards and criticizing then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Neville understands why Liverpool supporters may be upset by Salah’s actions, especially during a poor run of form, but says the players’ star quality cannot be ignored and Salah deserves more playing time in recent weeks.
“I see it from both sides,” he told Sky Sports News.
“You wouldn’t think that from a normal player’s side. But when you have a player at this level, who is close to the best in the world, like I put Mo Salah with him, sometimes… you don’t have to accept what he did because Cristiano Ronaldo did it[at United]and I didn’t take it well at all because I think these players have an expectation that they’re going to bring everyone in.”
“But that’s not unusual behavior for players of that level of quality and talent. They often see things differently.
“When I’m at Liverpool, it’s easier for me because I can sit back and relax. I wouldn’t like it if it was my club, Manchester United, but I didn’t do that when Cristiano did that a few years ago and he went for a big interview.”
“I think it was wrong, I think it was the wrong time and the wrong way, so I can understand why Liverpool fans would be angry.
Cristiano Ronaldo left Man United in December 2022 after criticizing Erik ten Hag and the club’s standards in an interview.
“But I was playing the game (against Leeds) and I thought (Salah) should have been on the pitch, I said in the commentary.
“I understand why he’s upset, but I also understand it from Liverpool’s point of view. They feel let down and Liverpool were giving them a lot of attention that they didn’t need in a moment of challenge and difficulty.”
“If a player didn’t have the talent, experience and success of Mo Salah, he would be kicked out very quickly,” Neville continued.
“But when you have such exceptional, talented, great player presence, being benched and not being benched is unacceptable.
“I played with exactly the same players, but as soon as that happened I left the club.”
Slott: There’s no reason not to want Salah to stay
Slott was asked about his personal aspirations for Salah’s future at Anfield, and the head coach also revealed the decision-making process behind leaving him out of Tuesday’s win in Milan.
“(Who decides) whether he is in the team or not, yes or no? We made the decision as a club. I was also part of the decision not to bring Mo to Inter Milan,” he said.
“I’m always in discussion with[the Liverpool board]but when it comes to team and line-up decisions, it’s always up to me.
“That doesn’t mean I won’t talk to Richard (Hughes). I talk to Richard about a lot of things. But whether I play or not is completely up to me.”
When asked specifically if he wanted Salah to stay, Slott replied: “There’s no reason why I don’t want him to stay. This club has won a lot of games with him.”
“Slot takes the heat out of the drama that could have been done without him.”
SSN reporter Vinny O’Connor from the AXA training center said:
“‘There’s no reason why we don’t want him to stay here’ was as far as Arne Slott’s current position on the Mo Salah situation was concerned.
“And there is evidence to support the actions that Slott is about to take. Why would he meet with Salah today after various discussions between the player’s representatives, the club and Slott himself?”
“Certainly, if the manager is ready to keep Salah aside, there would be no need for further discussions.
“Mr Slott’s last stand was his refusal to disclose whether he needed an apology from Mr Salah.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Former Liverpool defender Dietmar Hamann has criticized Mo Salah for making his dissatisfaction public.
“The underlying theme of the press conference seemed to be that the manager was trying to take the heat out of the drama that could have been done without it. After the Brighton game, Salah’s departure for AFCON will dampen the heat even further.”
“Salah was at the training ground today as usual, but whatever happens this weekend, Liverpool will be without Salah until at least January.
“Slot has said he doesn’t want him to leave, but what moves will Salah make to ensure it doesn’t become a permanent deal?”
Merce: “Liverpool owes Salah a trophy”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Paul Merson was left out of Liverpool’s squad for the game against Inter Milan after siding with Mohamed Salah after an explosive interview targeting Arne Slott.
Manager Paul Merson has defended Mohamed Salah, claiming Liverpool had “thrown him under the bus” and suggested the club’s trophy cabinet would be even emptier without the Egyptian.
“I’m on Mo Salah’s side. I think he’s too attached.
“Maybe he shouldn’t have done what he did, but he’s a human being. He’s a winner, he’s a legend. The numbers he put up on the side – goals and assists – are extraordinary. In my opinion, we’ll never see that again.”
“All he did was say he wanted to play football. He’s got a hump because he’s not playing. How can he get slaughtered for that?
“There are other players in the team who could be left out and he’s probably thinking, ‘We’re not very good and I can’t play.’ I think that’s wrong.”
“Without Mo Salah, Liverpool wouldn’t have won anything. You took away his goals and assists and I don’t think there will be any trophies in that cabinet for a while.”
