Mohamed Salah has received widespread support in Egypt following his recent criticism of Liverpool, as fans and senior figures rally behind the forward amid questions over his future at the club.
Gossip News Now reports that Salah stirred controversy on December 6 when he claimed Liverpool had “thrown him under the bus,” comments that drew sharp criticism in the British media. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher labelled the interview a “disgrace,” while others argued Salah should not have aired his grievances publicly.
In Egypt, the response has been overwhelmingly supportive. Former Egypt assistant coach Diaa El-Sayed described the interview as sparking a nationwide reaction.
“This interview was like a revolution in Egypt,” he said. “Ninety-nine per cent of Egypt supports Salah, and you can see from the reaction at Anfield that the Liverpool fans support him too.”
Salah, often referred to as the “Egyptian King,” remains a national icon and a symbol of pride. Cairo resident Noura Essam said, “Before Salah, no one supported Liverpool here. We didn’t have a global figure before him, so we will always support him.”
Tensions escalated after Liverpool head coach Arne Slot benched Salah for three consecutive matches and later left him out of the squad for a Champions League trip to Inter Milan. Former Egyptian FA spokesman Osama Ismail said fans at home were shocked.
“When Liverpool played in Milan, all of Egypt supported Inter Milan,” he added, emphasizing that Salah wants to remain at Liverpool, describing him as “not arrogant but confident.”
At Cairo International Stadium, where Egypt beat Nigeria 2-1 in a friendly ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), supporters focused on boosting Salah’s morale. Egypt’s Minister of Sports, Ashraf Sobhy, was among those welcoming him back to Cairo.
Cairo-based journalist Ahmed Gamal Ali noted the emotional reaction, saying, “We say he is our son, so we were emotionally taken aback because it felt like a humiliation for one of our family. It would be judgmental to say whether he was right or wrong to do the interview, as we didn’t live through his feelings.”
Within the national team, Salah’s professionalism has not been questioned. Staff and players have publicly supported him, while head coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s record goalscorer, held detailed talks with the captain, emphasizing that the Pharaohs’ tournament prospects rely heavily on Salah’s form.
Before leaving for AFCON duty, Slot stated there was “no issue to resolve” regarding Salah’s selection, and several teammates expressed their desire for him to stay. Discussions between Salah’s representatives and Liverpool are expected to continue during his time with the national team.
