Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes that Mohamed Salah was "out of order" for his heated argument with Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp on the touchline during the 2-2 draw with West Ham United. The incident occurred on Saturday, and Sutton's comment suggests that the responsibility for the touchline clash rests primarily with Salah.
Mohamed Salah was dropped for Liverpool's game against West Ham United, and during the 2-2 draw, he clashed with manager Jürgen Klopp on the touchline as he prepared to come on as a 79th-minute substitute.
The draw left Liverpool five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, further complicating their season after exiting the Europa League. Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, criticized Salah for his behavior, describing him as "out of order."
Sutton noted that while Salah is Liverpool's top scorer this season with 24 goals, his recent performances haven't been as impressive. "I didn't like it, but I think Mo Salah is the one who was out of order," Sutton said. "He is no different from any of his Liverpool team-mates, and the truth is his form hasn't been good since he came back from injury. It's nothing against Salah and the brilliant player he's been for Liverpool. He has been phenomenal, but I think there's a line, and unfortunately for him, he crossed it."
Klopp, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, brought Salah to Anfield in June 2017, and he has consistently been one of the team's most influential players. However, Sutton believes Klopp was within his rights to choose the first XI he felt would give Liverpool the best chance of winning. "You can't live on the past," added Sutton. "It is the here and now, and Klopp decided to leave him out. That is his prerogative. He is the manager, and Salah is no different from the rest of his team-mates."
Salah appeared to be frustrated by something Klopp said as he was about to be substituted in, prompting an altercation that was cut short when team-mates Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez intervened. Afterward, Salah declined interview requests, stating, “There’s going to be a fire today if I speak.”
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman also criticized Salah's behavior, suggesting it reflected poorly on the Egypt forward. "If you act like that, you're showing disrespect to your team-mates as well as the manager by basically saying 'I should definitely be playing before them'," Osman said. "Yes, he has been their best player, but you're all part of the squad. You all rotate for the most part, and you shake hands when you go off the field because you have the same goal: to try and win football matches. It is a sad end to the run they've had and the relationship they've had."
