Topic: Mohamed Salah - Best in the World *

[jepovic]

I can understand that a player needs replacing and sometimes that player can still have a good season before the legs fall off. Mane and Firmino both had good seasons for us before they left and then they fell off a cliff. It could be the same for Salah as well if we sold him.

My issue is the replacement. We have a good collection of forwards outside Salah but no outstanding ones bar a injured Jota. If you are telling me we are replacing Salah with a top quality attacker ready to start for us the fine, but I am not in for the idea of getting some young player who one day develops into something good.

We have never had a situation under Klopp where we have sold our best player, there has always been another at the club who already took up the mantle or was there ready to. This will be different, there will not be a single attacker at the club as good as Salah when he leaves.

But we have to replace peak Salah anyway, because he doesnt exist anymore. Its not easy, but that's life.
We can either choose to keep the current Salah, or to sell him, but we cant turn back time.

The current Salah is on 13(?) non-penalty PL goals + 9 assists. That's still good numbers, but hardly irreplacable.

I used to be in the camp of trying to keep him and try to use him differently. But now I dont believe he could cope mentally with that

[glewis93]

Easier to replace a defender than someone who brings goals and assists.

I'll sell Trent or Virgil before.  Also the Saudis aren't going to spend like crazy this time

You'd sell our captain and vice-captain before Salah?

I'm not on the "sell Salah" train just yet but that's absolutely crazy to me. Trent is world-class and still only 25, Van Dijk has been a leader and a rock for years and in a position where physical decline isn't so impactful. If it's a choice between selling Salah or either of those two for big money, it's a no-brainer for me, Salah is gone.

[Coolie High]

You'd sell our captain and vice-captain before Salah?

I'm not on the "sell Salah" train just yet but that's absolutely crazy to me. Trent is world-class and still only 25, Van Dijk has been a leader and a rock for years and in a position where physical decline isn't so impactful. If it's a choice between selling Salah or either of those two for big money, it's a no-brainer for me, Salah is gone.

You say that but the defence has underperformed the attack this season, it’s quite fascinating that all the critique seems to be directed at our forwards.

[glewis93]

You say that but the defence has underperformed the attack this season, it’s quite fascinating that all the critique seems to be directed at our forwards.

I'm not talking about current performances, I'm talking about team composition. Salah is 31 and can't be expected to maintain the incredible level in a wide forward position season after season.

I'm not saying he deserves to be sold, I'm saying that both Trent and Van Dijk would be considerably further down on the 'cash in' list for me. I can't see a situation where we'd keep Salah over either of them, especially Trent.

[decosabute]

Not sure about that, we’ve already seen Mane do that in the past and there weren’t widespread calls for him to never play for Liverpool again.

Mane didn't do it to the manager when being subbed on. Him kicking off after getting subbed about his teammate not passing is not the same, no matter how many times people repeat it.

I've never seen any Liverpool player act that way when getting subbed on. It was more like latter-day Ronaldo behaviour.

[Coolie High]

Mane didn't do it to the manager when being subbed on. Him kicking off after getting subbed about his teammate not passing is not the same, no matter how many times people repeat it.

I've never seen any Liverpool player act that way when getting subbed on. It was more like latter-day Ronaldo behaviour.

I guess us seeing it makes it worse, but Millie was literally telling the same man to ‘Shut the fuck up’ and almost coming to blows with him.

Was a shit thing for Salah to do and he should be utterly ashamed of himself, but I gather Klopp is more forgiving than many on here.

[decosabute]

It feels like every player from Klopp’s incredible Liverpool side has left under a bit of a cloud. Feels like the same is happening here.

I think only Henderson has really left on bad terms. And a lot of that is because of how terrible and hypocritical his choice was. The rest may have been annoyed that a contract wasn't coming (Wijnaldum) or wanted to try another league (Mane), but none of them left because the relationship had gone sour with Klopp or their teammates.

[Lord Roger Hunt]

Mane didn't do it to the manager when being subbed on. Him kicking off after getting subbed about his teammate not passing is not the same, no matter how many times people repeat it.

I've never seen any Liverpool player act that way when getting subbed on. It was more like latter-day Ronaldo behaviour.

Roger Hunt threw his shirt into the dugout when he was subbed.

Tempus Fugit, and all that.

It might make you angry but no one can’t beat the sands of time.

[decosabute]

I guess us seeing it makes it worse, but Millie was literally telling the same man to ‘Shut the fuck up’ and almost coming to blows with him.

Was a shit thing for Salah to do and he should be utterly ashamed of himself, but I gather Klopp is more forgiving than many on here.

Even the Milner thing was different. He was subbed off - his blood is up from the game, he thinks he still has a lot to offer. That's understandable. Henderson has done that before too. Salah has done it several times. We see that at every club and it's very common.

There's a difference between the emotions of getting pulled out of the game when you feel you still have a lot to give (and maybe are disappointed at yourself), and then sulking and being pissed off when called upon to come into a game. One is normal human behaviour, the other is petulant bullshit. And especially disappointing from a supposed leader in the dressing room.

Salah might not like sitting on the bench, but it's what he deserves and the least he can do is be professional and ready and willing when called upon. Apparently he looked absolutely not-arsed when warming up as well. It's not good enough from a player of his standing. Or any liverpool player for that matter.

[William Regal]

Not sure if theres been any theories today on what happened but this was mine, klopp was trying to make 3 subs including Salah and Gomez, did Klopp try and get the 3 subs on at a break of play at 2-1 only for salah not to be ready and then west ham go on to equalise at 2-2 in a situation that Klopp thought Gomez would have defended better than the man he was subbing in Trent? Did Klopp go up to Salah then after the delay, pissed off and say something like "are you sure you're ready now?"

Just a theory, may be completely wrong.

[G Richards]

Salah was out of order today. After Klopp drew a line under it and said he had spoken to the player, Salah kept it going with his subsequent comment. Poor form Mo. Because now the story rumbles on, and Jurgen will certainly be asked about it again.

As for Mo’s future here on the pitch, he has another year of his contract to go. If he sees it out, I expect him to do quite well and score goals as he hopes to try for the Prem and CL again. He might be used a bit more sparingly, and not be a 90 minute man every game, but that will help him to give his best. As a player he is past his peak, but I would imagine he is better than he has shown lately, as some of that is coming back from injury, and losing form, rather than him being totally over the hill. If he stays he will still do well for us next season.

If we have a choice in the matter (Mo has the final say) then I would sell him, to give Slot the dough to reinvest as he shapes his own side. Even if the Saudis aren’t as flash with the cash, Salah will be a jewel in the crown type for them, so they will still splurge for him. Whether Mo wants to go to a footballing backwater, with plenty left to offer on the pitch, remains to be seen.

Edit
If he goes to another club in summer besides the Saudis, we will not be receiving anything like the same sort of fee. And the takers will be a very small group indeed, as not many can afford the wages AND give us a fee that would tempt us to part company, instead of keeping him for the remainder of his contract. Maybe PSG would give 50M? They have their own issues to keep a rein on their finances. I suspect the Saudis would give double that.

It will be an interesting summer.

[Dim Glas]

Not sure if theres been any theories today on what happened but this was mine, klopp was trying to make 3 subs including Salah and Gomez, did Klopp try and get the 3 subs on at a break of play at 2-1 only for salah not to be ready and then west ham go on to equalise at 2-2 in a situation that Klopp thought Gomez would have defended better than the man he was subbing in Trent? Did Klopp go up to Salah then after the delay, pissed off and say something like "are you sure you're ready now?"

Just a theory, may be completely wrong.

No need to look so deep I don’t think!
It’s assumed it’s to do with Salah being a brat when Klopp wanted to do his isual handshake/hug with the sub before they go on. that’s what the vid doing the round shows. He doesn’t want to do that, walks off, Klopp says something, he comes back and sort of fistbumps him, and walks off to the edge of the technical area again and then all the arm-flapping starts. Just very petulant, disrespectful and uncalled for from any player let alone one so experienced.

[Andar]

No need to look so deep I don’t think!
It’s assumed it’s to do with Salah being a brat when Klopp wanted to do his isual handshake/hug with the sub before they go on. that’s what the vid doing the round shows. He doesn’t want to do that, walks off, Klopp says something, he comes back and sort of fistbumps him, and walks off to the edge of the technical area again and then all the arm-flapping starts. Just very petulant, disrespectful and uncalled for from any player let alone one so experienced.

That just goes to show he's not playing injured. Ignoring the initial handshake comes from the frustration for being benched.

That frustration would not have been if he knew Klopp was managing his injury.

He was bitter at being benched for being in crap form.

[William Regal]

No need to look so deep I don’t think!
It’s assumed it’s to do with Salah being a brat when Klopp wanted to do his isual handshake/hug with the sub before they go on. that’s what the vid doing the round shows. He doesn’t want to do that, walks off, Klopp says something, he comes back and sort of fistbumps him, and walks off to the edge of the technical area again and then all the arm-flapping starts. Just very petulant, disrespectful and uncalled for from any player let alone one so experienced.

Apologies, been out all day and didnt know that , is there some footage doing the rounds?

[Fromola]

It feels like every player from Klopp’s incredible Liverpool side has left under a bit of a cloud. Feels like the same is happening here.

It's like the motto of all political careers end in failure. If a player leaves Liverpool it's either because he's fucked us off for another club (Coutinho/Torres/Sterling), we've fucked him off because he's not been good enough/we've got a good offer, or his legs are going and we're having to faze him out/a contractual issue for a player over 30.

One of the reasons we get a lot of bitter ex-players as pundits is due to how they left.

The likes of Firmino and Milner are the exceptions in that their contracts are up and they get the big send offs in their last game. Milner still disappointed not to be kept on though.

[slaphead]

Salah's been one of our best ever players. His consistency has phenomenal for us for years, never out of the team. We've shat ourself in the league, he's out of the team and he knows himself its deserved and he's seeing the last glimmer of a chance of maybe his last league title going away today. He threw the head, wrongly. Disrespectful.  I think Kloppo will have dealt with it after the game and that's that. Don't let Sky with their Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville shite make it a big thing when its not

[Fromola]

Salah's been one of our best ever players. His consistency has phenomenal for us for years, never out of the team. We've shat ourself in the league, he's out of the team and he knows himself its deserved and he's seeing the last glimmer of a chance of maybe his last league title going away today. He threw the head, wrongly. Disrespectful.  I think Kloppo will have dealt with it after the game and that's that. Don't let Sky with their Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville shite make it a big thing when its not

Doesn't really matter much if it's been dealt with or not at this point, they'll only be working together for a few more weeks and there's not much else to play for. Salah's future is in the hands of Slot/Edwards/Hughes as well as his dickhead agent.

But if he's pissed off with Klopp for being left on the bench when playing terribly, and throws his toys out the pram, it's hardly a big incentive for them to want to keep him.

[KC7]

How the fuck are the Salah and Nunez threads the most active on this forum when both played 15 minutes today and our attack has better than our defence all season

Rawk is basically sky sports with a Liverpool spin these days

It’s like if Jamie Carragher was a forum

Agree its nonsense.

We conceded SIX goals in two games at 0T, against a dreadful United outfit who barely got a kick for most of those games, yet the main gripe was over our finishing. We would have needed EIGHT goals (i'm using block capitals here just to emphasise the bleedin obvious issue). 

Our main problem all season has been defensively, coughly up easy chances for the opposition, which primilarily stems from the midfield being too easy to waltz through (not sorting out the DM position has hurt us, again).

I've gone further than not critiquing the forwards, I think with such a dysfunctional midfield they have done remarkably well to have scored as many as they have. Alot is made of the misses, but like with today's 28 shots we don't win the ball back quickly as we used to and carve out clear openings, as the chances today were largely difficult. Its a much slower ponderous build up from the back, little speed from the 6 to the 8s, then we get to the edge of the crowded box and usually have to try something out of nothing. There are exceptions such as Palace at home when the chances were much better, but even in that game we had to ask the forwards to bail us out again having gone behind for the umpteenth time, and there is only so many times you can go to the well.

Those breakaways at OT, we started so far back in those, deep in our own half, whereas previously we were winning the ball much higher up the field when the midfield was a pressing machine and the chances were much better, much closer to goal. The midfield isnt functioning like it was, anywhere close for that matter, and Jurgen was clearly working on it with all those 8s brought in. Slot bringing in an athletic 6 would complete that task. Get that area firing again,  which in turn will make things much easier for the forwards.

[Dim Glas]

Apologies, been out all day and didnt know that , is there some footage doing the rounds?

https://x.com/AnythingLFC_/status/1784236847402549662

[KC7]

It's like the motto of all political careers end in failure. If a player leaves Liverpool it's either because he's fucked us off for another club (Coutinho/Torres/Sterling), we've fucked him off because he's not been good enough/we've got a good offer, or his legs are going and we're having to faze him out/a contractual issue for a player over 30.

One of the reasons we get a lot of bitter ex-players as pundits is due to how they left.

The likes of Firmino and Milner are the exceptions in that their contracts are up and they get the big send offs in their last game. Milner still disappointed not to be kept on though.

Is there a worse one than McManaman? My God the bitterness when he speaks about us. Also uses Rob Jones as a stick to beat us with Jones not getting a contact due to his injuries, basically the club look after number one. He was our player of the decade imo (others may say Fowler, but it was McManaman who ran the show for us, "stop him, stop us" was basically the tactic by the opposition), and yet it's as though he is a stranger to us. You never really see him spoken fondly off or feature in any lists of great players. The split clearly was acrimonious and I'm convinced some have forgot just how incredible he was for us. His R.Madrid years being great are a myth, as he was a pale shadow of what he was for us. Remember watching him alot and he would pass the ball off quickly rather than do one of those mazy dribbles he so frequently did here. He played within himself at Madrid (being a foreigner and being surrounded by Raul, Redondo, Figo etc. of course meant he was no longer the main man,  but he looked inhibited whenever I watched). Great goal in the first final he played in mind.

[slaphead]

There's frustration everywhere isn't there. Everyone's a bit sickened from the fans to the players to the management team. Salah is getting a touch because he's as far away as my first shite from where we need him to be and are used to him being.
I don't get this the attack is better than the defense or vice versa argument anyway. The defending side of our game is the whole team, from the forwards. If we're leaking goals it's on everyone. It causes countless arguments in dressing rooms and all. The amount of times there's an argument at half time or full time about where the problem came from is nuts, everyone blaming everyone.  If we're not scoring goals it tends to be the strikers misfiring so it's highlighted more and easier to pin on 1 player and call them a useless bastard.
Just get the season over now, I think we all need a break. Salah has been exemplary for us. He can be forgiven a little tantrum

[Red1976]

There's frustration everywhere isn't there. Everyone's a bit sickened from the fans to the players to the management team. Salah is getting a touch because he's as far away as my first shite from where we need him to be and are used to him being.
I don't get this the attack is better than the defense or vice versa argument anyway. The defending side of our game is the whole team, from the forwards. If we're leaking goals it's on everyone. It causes countless arguments in dressing rooms and all. The amount of times there's an argument at half time or full time about where the problem came from is nuts, everyone blaming everyone.  If we're not scoring goals it tends to be the strikers misfiring so it's highlighted more and easier to pin on 1 player and call them a useless bastard.
Just get the season over now, I think we all need a break. Salah has been exemplary for us. He can be forgiven a little tantrum

Sorry I have to disagree. Salah has started to act like he is a player who should not be dropped and that he is the main man; a player Liverpool cannot do without.  No player is bigger than the club and IMO it is time to think about getting a big fee for Salah and saying goodbye. Another poster mentioned "Bob P" and how he was not huge on sentiment  - that ruthlessness meant Liverpool were successful and that is what is needed now IMO. 

[BarryCrocker]

https://x.com/AnythingLFC_/status/1784236847402549662

Mad that someone was able to keep filming that while WHU scored against us.

[kasperoff]

I think his time with Liverpool is up, but not because of the nonsense today. It's a storm in teacup. Only newsworthy because it's Liverpool and Klopp.

[MD1990]

it looks quite poor from him.
Interesting if he starts against spurs

[Nick110581]

It’s literally nothing.

What about when KDB mouthed off at Pep? Was that even news ? I doubt it but then we are massive.

[decosabute]

It’s literally nothing.

What about when KDB mouthed off at Pep? Was that even news ? I doubt it but then we are massive.

Why do people keep drawing false comparisons and equivalence between what Salah did yesterday and other examples of players being subbed OFF? They're different situations.

Players subbed off have their blood pumping and feel they could and should do better and stay on the field. No one kicks off in the same way about them because those reactions are understandable and common. Milner did it, Henderson did it, Mane did it, Trent did it, Salah has done it numerous times. No problem. It also usually happens with players who have been in form so find it hard to accept they could be pulled out of a game.

What Salah did yesterday though is act like a disrespectful gobshite when he's being called upon to come in. He's been deservedly dropped and should be sitting on the bench thinking about how he's going to show the manager with his performance. But instead he's just sulking and not even shaking his hand. It's not acceptable, it's not the same as other examples you're drawing upon and please stop making the comparison over and over.

I swear to God it's only on RAWK where I think this is even a debate. Salah was so out of line but there'll always be people on here who'll attempt to justify anything.

In time I'll probably only remember the good moments with Salah, but right now I'm fuming with the guy. A joke on the pitch for 6 weeks and now he reacts like this? So out of order and I'd be happy enough if he went.

[Fromola]

Is there a worse one than McManaman? My God the bitterness when he speaks about us. Also uses Rob Jones as a stick to beat us with Jones not getting a contact due to his injuries, basically the club look after number one. He was our player of the decade imo (others may say Fowler, but it was McManaman who ran the show for us, "stop him, stop us" was basically the tactic by the opposition), and yet it's as though he is a stranger to us. You never really see him spoken fondly off or feature in any lists of great players. The split clearly was acrimonious and I'm convinced some have forgot just how incredible he was for us. His R.Madrid years being great are a myth, as he was a pale shadow of what he was for us. Remember watching him alot and he would pass the ball off quickly rather than do one of those mazy dribbles he so frequently did here. He played within himself at Madrid (being a foreigner and being surrounded by Raul, Redondo, Figo etc. of course meant he was no longer the main man,  but he looked inhibited whenever I watched). Great goal in the first final he played in mind.

Yeah, he was incredible in the 90s in what were inadequate teams. Him and Fowler carried us. Fowler himself is an ex-player who isn't bitter but he did come back second time around and got his send off that way. He was very bitter to Houllier for years.

Even Carragher is bitter and he stayed in the team at least 5 years too long and conned us out of that contract. Players always think they should go on forever and aren't prepared for a reduced role - as soon as he was no longer a guaranteed starter he saw his arse. To be fair to Gary Neville, he at least held his hands up when his time was up and called it a day himself.

[John C]

Audio is pretty damning.
https://x.com/maliks_88/status/1784289649298485381

been taken down, what is said?

[Felch Aid]

Hasn't Salah always this side to him? He's been subbed in games in his so called peak with his lip on.

[decosabute]

Hasn't Salah always this side to him? He's been subbed in games in his so called peak with his lip on.

I keep saying it, but they're different situations.

Getting subbed OFF with a cob on is normal and common and understandable. Getting subbed ON with one - especially when your own form has been abysmal and you're supposed to be a leader and example in the team - isn't normal or justifiable behaviour.

[Caps4444]

Just a tiff that was played out in public, which it shouldn’t have been.
No, it’s not a good look and Mo shouldn’t have flapped and made a scene and he’s in the wrong.

Playing devil’s advocate, if the issue was not waiting a bit further back to do the handshake etc…..perhaps Jurgen should have just done the fist bump and not said anything knowing Mo was annoyed? I agree Mo to blame, but could have all,been handled better

[jepovic]

I dont think its a huge deal as a single incident.

What worries me is that going forward, Salah will inevitably play less minutes and he will have more competition.

This behaviour suggests that he wont do well with that situation.

[God's Left Peg]

I dont think its a huge deal as a single incident.

What worries me is that going forward, Salah will inevitably play less minutes and he will have more competition.

This behaviour suggests that he wont do well with that situation.

I don't think it'll be an issue beyond this season. If he isn't off in the summer I'll eat my hat.

[Caps4444]

I don't think it'll be an issue beyond this season. If he isn't off in the summer I'll eat my hat.

Agree, think he will be off.
We won’t get a huge amount, I’d guess 50 max, but his 350k wages come off the club.

[CHOPPER]

Something I didn’t give much credence to at the time - but apparently the Monday after the manc cup game, it was the players day off, but Mo went into Kirkby as did Jurgen. Something or nothing I don’t know, but we’ve seriously gone tits up after that game.

Anyway, thought I’d add to the carnage and gossip. 🤪

[Qston]

I dont think its a huge deal as a single incident.

What worries me is that going forward, Salah will inevitably play less minutes and he will have more competition.

This behaviour suggests that he wont do well with that situation.

It's a problem for elite athletes, especially those that were amongst the very beat. The hardest thing to accept is that you just aren't quite what you were.

[lionel_messias]

Agree, think he will be off.
We won’t get a huge amount, I’d guess 50 max, but his 350k wages come off the club.

I agree, I don't think he'd be a rotation player and I don't see him as an Arne Slot speedy winger, or 10.

[Jm55]

Why do people keep drawing false comparisons and equivalence between what Salah did yesterday and other examples of players being subbed OFF? They're different situations.

Players subbed off have their blood pumping and feel they could and should do better and stay on the field. No one kicks off in the same way about them because those reactions are understandable and common. Milner did it, Henderson did it, Mane did it, Trent did it, Salah has done it numerous times. No problem. It also usually happens with players who have been in form so find it hard to accept they could be pulled out of a game.

What Salah did yesterday though is act like a disrespectful gobshite when he's being called upon to come in. He's been deservedly dropped and should be sitting on the bench thinking about how he's going to show the manager with his performance. But instead he's just sulking and not even shaking his hand. It's not acceptable, it's not the same as other examples you're drawing upon and please stop making the comparison over and over.

I swear to God it's only on RAWK where I think this is even a debate. Salah was so out of line but there'll always be people on here who'll attempt to justify anything.

In time I'll probably only remember the good moments with Salah, but right now I'm fuming with the guy. A joke on the pitch for 6 weeks and now he reacts like this? So out of order and I'd be happy enough if he went.

He’s been one of the best players the club has ever had, he’s been here for 7 years and in that time barely put a foot wrong.

He obviously shouldn’t have done it and he’ll eventually realise that and apologise him sure.

No need to overreact and make that it’s bigger than it is.

Fuck me you’d think that someone whose done as much as he has for the club would have a bit of credit in the bank, just as Klopp did when he told us to fuck off for signing his song.

Young men when passionate about things sometimes react in that way; I just don’t think there’s much more to it than that.

[jepovic]

It's a problem for elite athletes, especially those that were amongst the very beat. The hardest thing to accept is that you just aren't quite what you were.

Absolutely. Its hard for anyone to age and not being able to do the same things anymore. It must be super difficult to deal with for athletes that build their whole identity and income on their physical performance.

Some players manage to accept a smaller role, but I think Salah might fit better being the biggest fish in a smaller pond