Mo Salah fiercely defends Liverpool player who he admits ‘fans don’t like’ – Liverpool

Mohamed Salah has fiercely defended one of his Liverpool team-mates over criticism received on social media.

Salah and Liverpool were due to take on Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday, but the game was postponed due to safety concerns relating to Storm Darragh.

It was the only Premier League fixture postponed over the weekend, with second and third-placed Chelsea and Arsenal playing on Saturday as they attempt to close the gap to the Reds.

Arne Slot’s side sat seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table heading into the weekend’s fixtures, with that advantage having dropped from nine points after Wednesday’s 3-3 draw at Newcastle.

It was the first time the Reds had dropped points since October 27 but that didn’t stop fans from aiming surprise criticism at several players.

And Salah, who is still yet to commit his own future to Anfield beyond this season, has come out in strong defence of Darwin Nunez, who was one of the subjects of said criticism.

Speaking in a fan Q&A as part of a competition organised by Visa and El Mashrek, the Egyptian said: “I generally like playing with Nunez. A lot of people don’t like him but I like playing with him. I see Bahaa [in the video] keeps shaking his head… nah I like playing with him in general.

“He’s a player with different skills. Not a lot of people understand his ball.”

Nunez has not received regular game time this season, being handed a rare start in the 3-3 draw against Newcastle.

Earlier this season, Slot backed the Uruguayan forward – who scored 11 Premier League goals in 36 games last season – and defended his lack of playing time amid fierce competition in attacking areas.

He said in September: “There’s a lot of confidence in him. But there are two players for that position and I could even come up with more who could play in that position.

“He is in competition with Diogo [Jota, now injured] who has done really well. But many games have to be played and there will be enough time to judge Darwin – if he improves and how he improves, and if he can do special things for the club.”