Alan Shearer response to Mo Salah drama might surprise Newcastle United and Liverpool supporters
Debates have raged across the football landscape after Mohamed Salah exploded on Liverpool and Arne Slot at the weekend.
Alan Shearer has admitted he “understands” why Mohamed Salah is frustrated at Liverpool.
An explosive post-match interview at the weekend has developed into world football’s biggest story - with doubts now raised over the Egyptian’s future. Reds boss Arne Slot left Salah on the bench as his team drew 3-3 with Leeds United.
For the third consecutive game, the 33-year-old was named on the bench and he hit out at his perceived “mistreatment” at the full-time whistle. Supporters - both of Liverpool and from a rival perspective - have been torn on Salah’s actions.
‘I get his frustration’ - Alan Shearer
Speaking to The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer sympathised slightly with Salah, referencing his infamous bust-up with Ruud Gullit in 1999. However, he also believes the forward crossed a line by going public to the media.
"I get his frustration and anger and I totally understand the way he will be feeling,” Shearer said. “I had a similar situation when Ruud Gullit left me out (against Sunderland) and wanted me out of the club.
"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."
What Mohamed Salah actually said
When asked what he cannot believe, Salah told a media huddle: "That I'm sitting on the bench for 90 minutes! The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I'm very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season.
“Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That's how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am in the bench for three games so I can't say they keep the promise.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club.
"This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much. I will always do. I called my mum yesterday - you guys didn't know if I would start or not, but I knew.
"Yesterday I said to them, come to the Brighton game (on 13 December). I don't know if I am going to play or not, but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I'm going to enjoy that game because I don't know what is going to happen now. I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup of Nations. I don't know what is going to happen when I am there."