Tim Sherwood has warned Arne Slot that he might have to make a U-turn on his decision on Mohamed Salah or risk the season ahead.
Mohamed Salah caused a bit of a stir at Liverpool last month following his bombshell interview with the press in the aftermath of the draw with Leeds United. The Egyptian star claimed someone at the club was trying to throw him under the bus, and that his relationship with manager Arne Slot has also broken down.
While things have calmed down partly due to Slot arresting the slum and not losing games, as well as Salah’s absence owing to his AFCON commitments. Salah was slammed for his outburst, suggesting his method was not the right one in light of the controversy it caused.
Many have also criticised Slot for his part in the whole saga, but things are on the mend. Salah was unhappy at the club and could have angled for a move in January. However, he is widely expected to stay put for the remainder of the season at the very least, as a decision could be made in the summer on what would be best for him and the club in the summer.
Former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has given his two cents on the situation and what could be expected once Salah returns. His comments on Team Talk seemed logical, as Sherwood warned Slot over his decision on the Egyptian, while insisting the manager may have to make a U-turn to save the season.
Sherwood said, “Salah obviously had his own agenda when he went straight to the press and said what he said. “He’s done it a few times now, and that’s obviously not working in the best interests of the club when he does that, as it would create huge noise.
“The situation with Isak may have changed a few things. He’s out for a long time, so he might need to keep hold of Mo Salah.
“After this season, I’d be very surprised if he is still at Liverpool, but they might need to use him in the squad until the summer.”
“The last thing you want to do as a manager is cut your nose off to spite your face. So while Slot might want to see the back of Salah, the last thing he can do is get rid of him at the detriment of the side,” Sherwood continued.
“At the end of the day, Slot will be judged on whether he wins football matches, and he might need Salah to give him the best chance to do that.
“It’s a difficult one. What Salah did was out of order, and I don’t know anyone in the game who has backed him on the stance he took. Anyone who has been a manager knows how damning those quotes were.”
“Now we have to wait and see what happens next, but the Isak injury may have changed what Liverpool were intending to do with Salah.”
There will be speculation in the final part of this month as Salah returns from the AFCON to assume his role with Liverpool. For now, the speculation surrounding his future has cooled off a bit, while the injury to Isak makes Salah all the more important in the second part of the season.
While Sherwood cites the manager as the one to want to make a U-turn in his approach, the onus must also be on Salah to do things differently. The player and the manager should make amends, so as to protect a common interest that is Liverpool and bring success to this team in the second part of the season.
