Rio Ferdinand has predicted how Mohamed Salah would react if Manchester United made an ‘unbelievable offer’ for the disgruntled Liverpool superstar.
Salah’s future at Anfield is way from clear after he gave an explosive interview accusing Liverpool of ‘throwing him under the bus’.
Speaking within the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, Salah – one among Liverpool’s all-time greats and a Premier League legend – also said he had ‘no relationship’ with Anfield boss Arne Slot.
Salah’s outburst shocked the world of football and Slot dropped the Egyptian superstar for Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan on Tuesday.
Liverpool are said to be ‘open-minded’ about Salah’s future on the club ahead of the January transfer window, with teams within the Saudi Pro League and MLS believed to be weighing up moves.
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Ferdinand cannot see a way back for Salah, who’s leaving England to represent Egypt on the Africa Cup of Nations next week, and believes he has likely played his last game for Liverpool.
The previous England defender wouldn’t be against Manchester United making a ‘public offer’ to tempt Salah away from Liverpool but believes he would reject an approach from the Red Devils.
‘There’s no way Mo Salah goes to Man United,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. ‘I don’t I don’t think he’s got that trait in him that Wazza [Wayne Rooney] or [Carlos] Tevez had where he goes the additional mile.
‘But yeah, I’d make a proposal, a public one as well! It could be unbelievable, wouldn’t it? It could be a joke.
‘There’s little question in my mind that the Liverpool players don’t want Mohamed Salah to go away because he helps them win trophies.
What did Salah say? Key quotes from explosive interview
- On being benched again versus Leeds: ‘The third time on the bench, I feel for the primary time in my profession. I’m very, very dissatisfied to be fair. I actually have done a lot for this club down the years and particularly last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I do not know why. It looks like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I’m feeling. I feel it is vitally clear that somebody wanted me to get the entire blame.’
- On his relationship with Arne Slot: ‘I said repeatedly before that I had a very good relationship with the manager and unexpectedly, we haven’t any relationship. I do not know why, nevertheless it seems to me, how I see it, that somebody doesn’t want me within the club.’
- On whether Saturday’s game against Brighton could possibly be his last Liverpool game: ‘In my head, I’ll enjoy that game because I do not know what’s going to occur now. I shall be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup (of Nations). I do not know what’s going to occur once I am there.’
- On whether he regrets signing a brand new contract last season: ‘Imagine how bad that I actually have to reply it, truthfully. That hurts, even the query hurts. This club, signing for this club, I won’t ever regret it. I assumed I’ll renew here and end my profession here, but this will not be in response to the plan.’
- On transfer interest from the Saudi Pro League: ‘I don’t wish to answer this query, since the club goes to take me to a unique direction.’
‘But I feel he’s gone, it’s gone too far. Salah clearly thinks the manager has an ulterior motive and needs him out of the club.’
Only two players in history have scored more goals for Liverpool than Salah, who joined the Reds in 2017 from Roma.
Salah has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup during his spell at Anfield.
While the 33-year-old has established himself as a Liverpool legend, Wayne Rooney believes Salah is destroying his legacy.
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‘If I used to be Arne Slot there could be no way he could be within the team,’ Rooney told BBC Sport. ‘It must be sorted out quickly either way.
‘He is completely destroying his legacy at Liverpool. It could be sad for him to throw all of it away. He’s gone about all of it incorrect.’
While Salah has been arguably the most effective player within the Premier League over the past decade, he – like a lot of his teammates – have struggled this season.
Manchester United and England legend Rooney believes ‘time has caught up’ with Salah and branded his outburst as ‘conceited’.
‘Time catches up with all of us, and this season he hasn’t looked as his best, at his sharpest,’ Rooney added. ‘You should see him roll his sleeves up and say “okay then, I’ll show you”.
‘To have the arrogance to say he doesn’t should earn his place because he has already earned his place, it is advisable be at your best every week to try to stay within the team.
‘If I used to be one among his team-mates, I wouldn’t be completely satisfied in any respect with what he said because that is where Liverpool need him most.
‘If anything, he has thrown Liverpool under the bus along with his words. He’s been absolutely incredible for Liverpool, but this was disrespectful to his team-mates, manager and fans.
‘I’d imagine he shall be very quiet across the training ground and that can bring a negative energy in itself to the brand new players Arne has bedded in.
‘I’m sure over the subsequent couple of years he’ll regret saying what he has.’
Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool face Brighton on Saturday of their final game before Salah departs for AFCON.
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