Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has had a rocky start to the season so far, so it is surprising that his behavior is under scrutiny in the wake of his best performance of the campaign to date.
The Egyptian international recorded the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history when he scored three goals against Rangers in just six minutes during the Reds’ 7-1 victory over the Scottish giants. Salah was only introduced in the 68th minute, but he made more than one tackle, and the score marked the heaviest loss Rangers have ever suffered at Ibrox.
Jurgen Klopp’s men looked significantly closer to being back at their best than most of their other outings so far this period, but Salah’s decision to walk through the tunnel rather than thank the faithful travelers of the Reds has not gone unnoticed and without complaint.
Most of the other members of the Liverpool team made sure to show their appreciation to those who had made the trip to Scotland. The Reds’ talismanic demeanor will only add to speculation that he is not entirely happy with the situation he finds himself in at Anfield.
Supporters made their feelings about the incident clear via social media after the game, with one fan writing: “Salah grabbing the match ball and heading through the tunnel without thanking the traveling fans says a lot about where his head”.
Another fan suggested that the response would have been very different if Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo had acted that way.
“It’s a bit strange to see Salah walking straight through the tunnel after full time. At least go see the fans. If Ronaldo had done that, he would be everywhere”, they assure.
The comparisons to the Old Trafford icon didn’t stop there, with another follower adding: “So Salah scores a hat-trick, grabs the ball then goes down the tunnel, no handshakes, no thanking the fans, poor show, no defense for it. Ronaldo-type attitude.
Klopp explained his decision to put Salah on the bench after the game, insisting it had nothing to do with trying to rest him for Sunday’s visit to Manchester City.
“It’s not with half an eye on the weekend,” the Reds boss said. “It’s just that we have to realize that we are in the middle of a very busy period. We cannot force the boys, we have to make changes.
“We can make changes and we can make them. god [Jota] It wasn’t planned, obviously. That’s why he was at the press conference yesterday. But then you get a call from the medical department, ‘He can play, but not too much.’ Oh great.
“Then we prefer to change to someone else who can play 90 minutes and that is why he is not a starter. He is on the bench and he is available.”