Liverpool conceded a 2-2 draw at West Ham for their 35th Premier League match of the season. A poor performance marked by an altercation between Mohamed Salah and Jürgen Klopp.
Not only have Liverpool buried their title chances, but the club will also have to manage a clash between its star and its coach. During the 2-2 draw conceded on the West Ham pitch, Saturday April 27, a verbal altercation broke out in the final minutes between Mohamed Salah and Jürgen Klopp. The scene happened in the 82nd minute, just as the Egyptian winger, perhaps unhappy at being a substitute at kick-off, was about to come on.
Mohamed Salah, who was waiting for his entry at the edge of the pitch, openly expressed his dissatisfaction after words whispered in his ear by his coach. What is the cause of this discord? What did they say to each other? Impossible to know with the live images and the German technician refused to talk about it after the meeting. “We already talked about it in the locker room. It’s settled,” declared Jürgen Klopp at the microphone of TNT Sports. And when asked if the case was also closed from Mohamed Salah’s point of view? “Yes, that’s my feeling,” he replied.
“The only reason a manager would be unhappy in this situation is if the player took too long to be ready to come on,” said former club legend Jamie Carragher, a British television consultant.
Only three games left for Klopp
In view of the words exchanged, Darwin Nuñez and Joe Gomez approached their teammate to relieve the pressure. The three players then entered the field. Then at the final whistle, Mohamed Salah went straight into the locker room.
With this result, Liverpool must count on an improbable combination of circumstances to still hope to play for the title. The Reds have 75 points in 35 games while Arsenal are leaders with 77 points in 34 games and Manchester City are in ambush with 76 points in 33 games. “We had to win here, we knew it, and we didn’t do it,” lamented Jürgen Klopp.
Eliminated from the Europa League by Atalanta, OM’s opponent in the semi-final, Liverpool only has three opponents to face before the end of the season and the departure of Jürgen Klopp: Tottenham (05/05), Aston Villa (05/13), Wolverhampton (05/19).