Is Salah Right to Feel ‘Thrown Under the Bus’?

Is Salah Right to Feel ‘Thrown Under the Bus’?

Mohamed Salah’s explosive comments after being benched again by Liverpool head coach Arne Slot have sent shockwaves through the football world. Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Leeds United, the Egyptian star accused the club of “throwing him under the bus” — a bold claim for a player who has cemented his legacy at Anfield with 250 goals and every major trophy.

But is Salah right to feel betrayed? Or is this the natural end of an era?

A Scapegoat or Simply Out of Form?

Salah’s frustration is understandable. After years as Liverpool’s talisman, he has now been benched in three consecutive Premier League games. The numbers don’t lie — Salah has only five goals in 16 starts this season, a sharp decline from the 34 goals in 50 matches he posted last year.

His attacking threat has diminished, and his defensive work rate has come under scrutiny. According to Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, Salah’s flank was specifically targeted in a 2-1 defeat earlier this season — suggesting his lack of tracking back has become a liability.

Yet Salah is not the only Liverpool star underperforming. Big-money signings like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have also failed to impress, and others like Cody Gakpo have had inconsistent seasons. Why then, Salah wonders, is he the one being sacrificed?

The Loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold

Salah also points to the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid as a key reason behind his dip. The pair had a unique chemistry, with Trent providing more line-breaking passes to Salah than any player-to-player combo in the league last season.

Former Red Stephen Warnock explained: “Trent and Salah complemented each other perfectly. When Trent moved inside, it created space for Salah to attack — that dynamic is now gone.”

Slot’s Big Gamble

Arne Slot’s arrival has marked a shift in Liverpool’s direction. Backed by a £450m summer spend, he has already started reshaping the team — and Salah may be the biggest casualty of that transition.

Slot’s decision to bench Salah coincided with a minor upturn in form. Liverpool have gone unbeaten in four games since the change, including a vital Champions League win against Inter Milan.

Slot has tried different systems — deploying Szoboszlai on the right, using Wirtz as a playmaker, and even testing out a diamond midfield. While the results haven’t been perfect, the team has looked more balanced defensively.

Relationship Broken?

Despite Slot’s public praise — calling Salah a “top professional” — the damage may be done. Salah’s remarks seem carefully timed, possibly foreshadowing an exit. He leaves soon for the Africa Cup of Nations, and there are no guarantees he will return to a starting role.

Given his age and recent form, some feel it may be time to move on. But with Liverpool demanding a large fee and Salah still under contract until 2027, a transfer won’t be simple.

Verdict: A Sad Split or Necessary Transition?

Salah’s outburst echoes past icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane, and Wayne Rooney — all of whom clashed with their clubs in the twilight of their primes. While Salah’s legacy remains secure, his Anfield exit now feels closer than ever.

Whether or not he was scapegoated, the emotional rupture is real. Fans, pundits, and the club must now ask: is this the beginning of the end for one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players?