MOWHERE TO HIDE

Salah’s pre-emptive decision to go nuclear on Slot feels like a volley into the court of owners FSG and even the supporters to now pick a side... and the Kop king might not like the answers he gets

- 

FOR virtually all of his 420 games as a Liverpool player, Mohamed Salah has politely but decisively rejected the chance to speak to the media after the final whistle.

To be precise, the Egypt superstar has done it on 417 occasions.

Just three times, prior to Saturday’s explosive offering, has he taken some time to chat to those assembled after matches.

In 2018, he made good on a promise after he had reached the 40-goal landmark in his first season.

Salah may have thought he had set the bar unrealistically high on that one in an effort to avoid a conversation but he ensured he kept to his word.

In 2019, just moments after he had become a Champions League winner with the Reds, he also spoke, beaming with pride as the winners’ medal hung from his neck in Madrid after that 2-0 win over Tottenham.

And 13 months ago, outside a rain-soaked St Mary's, Salah revealed that he was “more out than in” on account of failing to reach an agreement on a new contract.

So when the 33-year-old told us he would be back to speak after a quick post-match shower, having sat on the bench for the entirety of Saturday evening's 3-3 draw with Leeds United, it was crystal clear the third highest goalscorer in Anfield history had something he wanted to get off his chest.

What followed for those few of us huddled inside Elland Road was genuinely extraordinary.