Mo Salah’s possible dismissal after spat with Klopp revealed by lip reader
Following an ineffective display in Liverpool’s Merseyside derby defeat four days previously, the Egyptian forward was confined to the bench for the trip to the London Stadium. Klopp waited until the 78th minute to introduce Salah and Darwin Nunez, just moments after Antonio had headed home. The confrontation appeared to start when Salah reluctantly shook Klopp’s hand before he went onto the field, seemingly angry about being given just 12 minutes to make an impact.
According to a report by SPORTbible, professional lip reader John Cassidy has explained what was then said by the 31-year-old. Klopp appeared angered at the time Salah had taken to prepare himself to come on, with the club’s top scorer reportedly firing back with: “There’s nothing I can do about that, nothing.”
A further exchange followed, although what Klopp then said wasn’t clear. Salah played the final 12 minutes at the London Stadium.
Prior to the bust-up, Salah’s future on Merseyside had already been the subject of speculation, having been heavily linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer. And with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2025, Liverpool would need to cash in this summer or risk losing him on a free transfer in 12 months’ time if they cannot agree a new deal. According to The Athletic, the 31-year-old is expected to stay at Anfield for at least one more season.
The German boss himself refused to comment on the Salah situation in the aftermath of his side’s draw. “We spoke about that in the dressing room and it’s done for me,” he said in his press conference.
