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Football Insider

Support and Determination: Egypt Boss Stands by Mohamed Salah Amid Controversy

Mohamed Salah's recent comments criticizing Liverpool and manager Arne Slot have sparked controversy, but Egypt national team boss Hossam Hassan has offered his unwavering support for the star forward. Amid a dramatic draw with Leeds United, Salah found himself on the bench for the third consecutive match, leading to a post-match interview that raised eyebrows and divided opinions.

Support and Determination: Egypt Boss Stands by Mohamed Salah Amid Controversy

Mohamed Salah has come in for huge criticism following the bombshell post-match interview, where he took aim at Liverpool boss Arne Slot and accused the club of "throwing him under the bus", but Egypt national team boss Hossam Hassan has posted a message of support for his star forward. Salah was an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw with Leeds, the third match in a row he has been named on the bench.Leeds United secured a dramatic draw in a match Liverpool led twice, with Hugo Ekitike scoring a quickfire second-half brace, but were pegged back both times. Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty and Anton Stach's goal made it 2-2, Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool's lead and the Reds looked like they had sealed the three points, but Ao Tanaka's 96th-minute equaliser sealed a point for the home side. And while there was high drama on the pitch, the main headlines came after it, following an extraordinary rant from Salah. Speaking to reporters, Salah said: 'I can’t believe it, I’m very, very disappointed. 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 is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.'He added: 'I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on 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.'Danny Murphy and Chris Sutton have strongly criticised Salah for his explosive post-match interview. Murphy labelled the Egyptian's timing as poor, arguing such issues should be handled internally, stating: 'Salah is making it all about him when the focus should be on Liverpool's draw. That just creates more problems.'And Sutton posted to X on Saturday night: 'Embarrassing from Mo Salah and disrespectful to his team-mates and his manager. Salah is no different from any other player … if a player’s form drops as Salah’s has he is the same as anyone else and has to accept being benched… but he thinks he’s too good to be benched sadly…'While pundits formed an orderly line to criticise Salah, he found support in the shape of his national boss, Hassan. Salah will join-up with his national team later this month to participate in AFCON and could miss as many as eight games for Liverpool. Hassan posted a picture of himself and Salah on Instagram, with the caption (originally in Arabic): "Always a symbol of determination and strength."Liverpool head to Italy for a Champions League clash with Inter Milan on Tuesday and fans will wait with baited breath to see the team sheet, and specifically whether Slot has included Salah. The Reds are desperate for victory after the damaging 4-1 home defeat by PSV Eindhoven in their last match and need wins in their remaining league phase matches to stand a chance of automatic qualification through to the knockout stage.

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The Controversial Claims and Backlash

Following Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds, Mohamed Salah spoke out about his disappointment at being benched, accusing the club of not keeping promises made in the summer and hinting at a strained relationship with the manager. Salah's comments drew criticism from pundits Danny Murphy and Chris Sutton, who questioned the timing and accused him of making the situation about himself rather than the team's performance.

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A Show of Support from Hossam Hassan

In contrast to the criticism faced by Salah, Egypt boss Hossam Hassan expressed solidarity with the player, highlighting Salah's resilience and strength as a symbol of determination. Hassan's public support served as a reminder of the bond between Salah and his national team amidst the turbulence at his club.

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Looking Ahead for Salah and Liverpool

With the Champions League clash against Inter Milan looming, all eyes will be on the team sheet to see if Mohamed Salah features. Liverpool, reeling from a recent defeat, will be hoping to secure a vital victory to boost their chances of progressing in the competition. Salah's future at the club remains a topic of speculation, especially with the AFCON tournament approaching and the potential impact on Liverpool's season.

Published on Dec 7, 2025