Carragher Calls Salah “Selfish” After Latest Liverpool Criticism

Jamie Carragher has said he is not surprised by Mohamed Salah’s latest public criticism of Liverpool manager Arne Slot, describing the forward’s timing and comments as “selfish.” Salah’s statement, posted after Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, appeared to push for a return to the club’s old “heavy metal football” style under Jürgen Klopp and came just days before his Anfield farewell.

Carragher argued that Salah’s intervention has created an awkward situation for Slot at a crucial point in Liverpool’s season. The Reds are still not fully guaranteed a Champions League place, and Carragher said the focus should be on Liverpool’s objectives rather than on Salah’s departure. He said the manager cannot afford to be “selfish” and must select the team that gives Liverpool the best chance of winning, even if that means starting Salah in the final match.

The former Liverpool defender suggested Slot is under pressure and may feel compelled to give Salah a send-off if European qualification is still on the line. If Liverpool have already secured Champions League football by Sunday, Carragher said the decision could change and Slot may instead turn to players who will be at the club next season. But if the result matters, he insisted Salah should play if he remains in the strongest XI.

Carragher also compared Salah’s behaviour with the way other Liverpool greats handled disagreements late in their careers. He pointed to Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish as examples of legendary players who may have had frustrations but did not publicly attack their managers. Gerrard, he noted, reacted badly when benched by Brendan Rodgers but apologised, while Dalglish never publicly criticised Joe Fagan after being substituted in a major match. Carragher’s point was that top professionals should keep those issues inside the dressing room.

Gary Neville was similarly critical, saying he would be “fuming” if a Manchester United player made similar comments. He described Salah’s statement as a grenade thrown into the middle of the room just as the season reaches its most sensitive stage. Neville added that while elite players tend to speak when they want to speak, Slot will simply want to get through the final week and begin building for next season.

Salah’s own statement was forceful. He said Liverpool had moved from doubters to champions under hard work and that he wanted the club to recover the style and identity that made it feared again. He stressed that qualifying for the Champions League is the bare minimum and said he would do everything he could to help achieve that. The contrast between his message and the reaction it drew has created another tense chapter in what is likely to be his final week as a Liverpool player.