“You can’t make it all about you” says Murphy as Salah storm erupts

Mohamed Salah’s explosive hint that he could walk away from Liverpool in January has drawn sharp criticism from Danny Murphy and Michael Owen. The pair believe the forward’s public outburst has created a fresh storm at a club already struggling for direction.

Salah stunned supporters after the 3-3 draw at Elland Road by suggesting he was being made a scapegoat for Liverpool’s poor form and refusing to rule out a winter exit. The Egyptian was left unused on the bench during the chaotic finish against Leeds, the third straight match in which Arne Slot chose not to start him. The comments landed at a delicate moment for a team sitting eighth after 15 Premier League games and wrestling with tactical inconsistency.

His frustration has been simmering. Salah’s uninterrupted run of 53 league starts ended only last week when he was dropped against West Ham. Despite his reduced role this season, he still has five goals in 18 club appearances and remains one of Liverpool’s most prolific modern scorers with 250 goals in 420 games. He signed a two and a half year contract extension earlier in 2024 following the club’s title win.

Murphy urged Salah to handle his discontent internally rather than in front of cameras. The former Liverpool midfielder said on Match of the Day that the winger should have spoken privately with Slot or the ownership. He argued that Salah’s reaction has created unnecessary friction, saying the player is now “causing the team a problem and the manager a problem” by shifting focus onto himself.

Owen offered a more empathetic but still critical perspective. Posting on social media, he acknowledged Salah’s long-standing importance to Liverpool but insisted the public comments crossed a line. Owen said he could understand the emotions of a player who has “carried this team for a long time” before urging him to “bite your lip” with the Africa Cup of Nations just days away.

The timing of Salah’s remarks is what elevates the controversy. With AFCON starting on December 15, Liverpool were already preparing to lose him for a period that could stretch to January 18 if Egypt reaches the final. His potential absence covers a heavy run of fixtures: Tottenham away, Wolves at home, Leeds on New Year’s Day, plus trips to Fulham and Arsenal. Burnley at Anfield would also be missed should Egypt reach the last match of the tournament. The concern now is not just who replaces him, but how Slot manages the psychological ripple effect created by his senior attacker questioning his place so publicly.

The episode also raises bigger questions. Is this frustration purely about playing time, or is it tied to the broader stagnation of a squad that has declined since lifting the Premier League title? Is Salah expressing a momentary emotional response, or is he signalling deeper dissatisfaction with his role under Slot’s system? Liverpool’s hierarchy must now determine whether this flare-up reflects a temporary storm or the start of a more significant breakdown in their relationship with one of the club’s defining figures of the past decade.

The situation has drawn comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo’s final months at Manchester United. A star sidelined. A public outburst. A team unsure how to reintegrate him. Liverpool will be desperate to avoid a similar spiral, particularly with such a decorated and influential player. Salah has been central to every major trophy they have lifted since 2018 and remains one of the Premier League’s most durable forwards despite his recent benching.

With AFCON approaching and Liverpool drifting in the league table, the fallout from Salah’s comments will define their next few weeks. Slot must navigate both the tactical gap and the emotional void created by his most high-profile player. Whether this moment becomes a brief flash of frustration or the first chapter in a bigger story depends on how both sides respond when Salah returns from international duty.