Alan Shearer says he understands Mohamed Salah’s frustration with his current situation at Liverpool but insists the forward should not have voiced his anger publicly.
Salah, 33, launched a furious outburst after being left on the bench for the 3-3 draw at Leeds United on Saturday.
Having played only 45 minutes across Liverpool’s last three matches, he made it clear in the Elland Road mixed zone that he feels the club has “thrown him under the bus” and that his relationship with Arne Slot has broken down.
Shearer and Gary Lineker have since given their views, with Shearer noting he experienced a similar situation during his career — but chose to handle it privately rather than in the media.
Shearer said on the Rest Is Football podcast: “I get his frustration and anger and I totally understand the way he will be feeling. I had a similar situation when Ruud Gullit left me out [at Newcastle United] and wanted me out of the club.”
Lineker interjected to question: “You didn’t say anything publicly though, did you Alan?”
He replied: “No I didn’t, I don’t think you can and that’s why I think he’s sort of got it wrong on this occasion. Mo Salah has been unbelievable for that football club. I get how he may look at it, but the bigger picture is no one – I don’t care who you are – is bigger than the club.
“It’s a really difficult situation for the manager and him, it probably is best that he goes away for AFCON to try and clear his head, start games again and try to get his frustration out.
“Then, hopefully he’ll come back into a more settled situation where Liverpool are winning.
“What I will say is the manager has got a choice of who to play and if he doesn’t play Salah, the manager has to then win matches and I know they won at West Ham, but the last two results against Leeds United and Sunderland.
“So when the manager does leave big players out, he has to get the results to justify it and at the minute they’re not getting it. So it is a very difficult situation for Liverpool. But, he should not come out and say those things.”
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