Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided his insight on the situation with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool after yesterday’s surprise incident that saw him and Reds manager Jurgen Klopp involved in a heated row on the touch-line in the draw with West Ham.
Salah started the game on the bench and came on later in the 2-2 draw at the London Stadium, and Romano says the situation is clearly tense between the Egypt international and Klopp, whilst adding that he found it sad to see two such legendary figures arguing in this way.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for the latest edition of his Daily Briefing column, Romano explained that Salah’s future has still not been decided, but he suggested it could be something to keep an eye on for the summer, with Saudi Pro League clubs showing an interest in him last year.
Liverpool have collapsed in recent weeks with a poor run of form that has seen them go out of the FA Cup, the Europa League, and almost certainly out of the Premier League title race, while Salah himself has also produced poor numbers in recent games – a long way from the high standards we’re used to seeing from the 31-year-old.
Salah transfer: What next for Liverpool star after Klopp row?
Discussing the events of yesterday, Romano said: “So, what happened between Salah and Klopp at West Ham yesterday? Salah was on the touch-line ready to enter for the final minutes of the game, then he had an altercation with Klopp, the situation was quite tense, and Darwin Nunez tried to calm things down. Then after the game, Klopp said the case was closed after being discussed in the dressing room, and when asked if it was the same for Salah, Klopp said yes, that was his feeling.
“But then Salah himself, as he was leaving the stadium and asked by journalists in the mixed zone, said: ‘If I speak today, there will be fire.’
“So, a strong message from Salah as he was leaving the stadium. Obviously Klopp and Salah will now talk about this again in the next days, but it’s clearly a tense situation. Remember as well that Salah had transfer interest from Saudi clubs a year ago, and they could return again in the summer, so let’s see what will happen and what he will decide to do. Last summer he was very professional, Liverpool didn’t want to sell him and he decided to accept that, but now he has to decide with new directors and under new manager Arne Slot.”
He added: “I wasn’t there so I can’t give much more information than that. I’m just sad to see two legends of the club having an argument on touchline, but sometimes it can happen when results are not positive. Salah’s future will be decided at the end of the season, not now; for Liverpool it was crucial to prepare new project and they have now new manager, new directors, all set.”