LAURA WOODS: SLOT WILL GO BEFORE SALAH
SLOT MIGHT NOT HAVE MUCH LONGER AT LIVERPOOL
I was covering the Champions League this week with Steven Gerrard and I asked him about the Mohamed Salah situation.
He came at it with a level head and a solution that I hadn’t heard anyone else saying – that this situation is retrievable.
Steven said there would need to be a conversation with his manager and captain and accept some things he said were wrong – and others were justified – and then draw a line under the situation and move on.
He did also accept that things might be worse behind the scenes at Liverpool than we think, too.
Whatever way this ends, I do think it would be an absolute crying shame to have a player like Salah leave a club he has had so much success with under a cloud like this.
He deserves a proper send-off at least, but there’s also the other potential that he just needs to stick this out, because Arne Slot might not be around for much longer.
When I saw Salah’s interview the first thing I thought was that one of these two men will have to leave now.
And I still think that will happen… but I don’t think it will be Mo.
IS SLOT AN EXCEPTIONAL MANAGER?
The reason I think that is that Salah has just signed a new contract. He’s the club legend whereas, yes, Slot won the title but the more you speak to people now the more they seem to doubt whether he is an exceptional manager or if it was more Jurgen Klopp leaving a great team that won the league.
I think there is a greater chance of Slot being sacked than Liverpool letting Salah go.
I don’t think Liverpool will want to lose the legacy he has created, so I think it is more likely that the manager goes instead of him.
Mohamed Salah to be a Liverpool player on 2nd February is 1/2 with BetMGM
SALAH FORM HAS DEFINITELY DIPPED
Even though I do believe Salah will outstay the manager, I do think that two things can be right at the same time.
His form has certainly dipped and, as a player, I think you have to accept that. One of the things he said I didn’t agree with was that he had earned the right to start.
That just isn’t feasible, as otherwise every player at every club is going to start until they are old and grey – football doesn't work like that.
You may be one of the best players in the world but you are going to age like everyone else does. No one has an automatic right to start at any club, let alone at the defending champions.
It also sends the wrong message to his team-mates. They’ll be thinking ‘I deserve to start, I’m playing well, why is he starting when he isn't in form and we aren't winning games?’
GOLDEN GOALS MATCHDAY 16 SELECTIONS
Here’s what I’m thinking for the latest Golden Goals round:
You can find out more about Golden Goals and play along here.
Golden Goals Terms & Conditions
Opt in & predict 6 correct scores (see game lobby for weekly tournament cut-off time) to win up to £250k jackpot. Predict 2+ correct scores and win a prize (ranging from Free Bets to £5k Prizepool). Winnings shared evenly in case of multiple winners. Each prize subject to its own terms. Void if 1 or more matches postponed/abandoned or not completed. Verification procedures apply. 18+. T&Cs and exclusions apply.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
