Salah's exit looking INEVITABLE after public Klopp spat | OneFootball

Liverpool's 2-2 draw against West Ham on Saturday provided more than just a tense encounter on the pitch; it also served to intensify speculation about the future of Mohamed Salah following a heated exchange with manager Jurgen Klopp.

The incident, caught on camera, showed Salah remonstrating with Klopp just before being subbed on for the final 10 minutes of the match.

Teammate Darwin Nunez had to intervene to defuse the situation, but the altercation has now raised serious questions about Salah's future at Anfield.

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Underlying tensions

Salah's post-match comments did nothing to quell the notion of underlying tensions between himself and his manager.

The Egyptian forward refused to stop to take questions from the press in the mixed zone following the game. Instead, he passed through while saying: "If I speak today… there will be fire."

Klopp, meanwhile, downplayed the incident. He said: "We spoke already in the dressing room, and for me, it's done."

However, Salah's refusal to engage with reporters suggests lingering dissatisfaction, especially against the backdrop of his own diminishing role in the team.

London, England, 27th April 2024. Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool exchange words on the touchline during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI-3108-0021

"He's really frustrated," Denmark legend Brian Laudrup said following the game.

"We're talking about possibly one of the greatest Liverpool players ever.

"It's fair to bench him because he hasn't been performing well lately but what I believe he's saying is: 'So you're only giving me 10 minutes to try to turn things around?'

"He's seriously frustrated, and I totally get it."

Is Salah's time up at Liverpool?

Salah's contributions to Liverpool's success over the years are undeniable, scoring 210 goals in 345 games for the Reds since joining from AS Roma in 2017.

But with the Egyptian set to enter the final year of his contract amid a dwindling impact on the field this season, his future at the club is being questioned for the very first time.

This altercation with Klopp comes amid a serious dip in form, with Salah being dropped to the bench with regularity for the first time in his Liverpool career.

Clearly, the midweek loss to rivals Everton, followed by dropped points against West Ham, has heightened tensions within the squad - and surrounding Salah, in particular.

As a result, speculation has continued to mount, with reports linking the 31-year-old to clubs in the Saudi Pro League yet again.

27th April 2024 London Stadium, London, England Premier League Football, West Ham United versus Liverpool Mohamed Salah of Liverpool PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12635357 ShaunxBrooks

A clean slate for all parties

Now, with Klopp leaving at the end of the season, it could be the perfect time for Salah to move on and allow the new coach, likely Feyenoord's Arne Slot, to build a new team on different foundations.

That's a view held by TNT Sports' Ally McCoist. In his post-match analysis for the broadcaster, he said: "He has been one of the best players we have seen in this league, nothing short of fantastic for Liverpool, but his form has dipped, and it looks to me like he might be moving.

"It might suit both parties—Salah to move on and Liverpool to reinvest the money they get for him."

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