Liverpool: Mohamed Salah’s comments show his displeasure but I would be upset if he was a Man Utd player, says Gary Neville | Football news

Gary Neville says he would be “furious” about Mo Salah’s comments about Liverpool’s season if the Egyptian was a Man Utd player.

The Liverpool star is leaving the club this summer but on Saturday provided a brutal assessment of the current state of the club, the Reds are fifth in the Premier League and still not guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League as they were beaten 4-2 by Aston Villa on Friday.

Salah has commented on the style of play under Arne Slot, who wants to return to the “heavy metal” attacking football of former manager Jurgen Klopp.

This is not the first time Salah has criticized the Liverpool coach this season.

In December, he hit out at Slot in an explosive interview, insisting that the pair’s relationship had broken down.

Sky Sports Researcher and former Man Utd captain Neville said he does not agree with Salah speaking in this way, but says his recent comments show his displeasure.

“You pulled the pin from the bomb in the middle of the room. And you’re leaving the room,” Neville said. “Mo is not happy there.

“It’s not good. If he was a Manchester United player, I would be angry. But what you can’t do with this type of player, with this type of character and personality, is to silence them. If they have something to say, they will say it. And they will say it where you don’t want to hear it.

“That was a big comment. Arne Slot won’t accept it at all. But he’ll want to get to the end of the season, get out there, get everyone out who won’t be there next season, and try to build.”

Slott has shown he is confident of overseeing Liverpool’s busy summer transfer window, and Neville believes the Dutchman will be given the chance to turn things around next season, especially given former Reds player Xabi Alonso, who many predicted would eventually return to Anfield as manager, has been appointed as Chelsea manager.

“The signing of Xabi Alonso told me that Liverpool will keep their manager,” said Neville.

“I’m happy about it. The manager who won the league 12 months ago deserves another chance to get it right, when he’s had a very challenging season this time. He’s still in the Champions League. But Salah’s comments won’t help.”

Salah’s indirect assessment of Liverpool

In a harsh assessment of Liverpool’s form this season, Salah in a statement posted on social media: “I have seen this team go from doubters to believers, from believers to champions.

“It took a lot of hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.”

“Our defeat again this season was very painful and it was not what our fans deserved. I want to see Liverpool go back to being an attacking team that is feared by the enemies and then back to being a team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and that is the mentality that should be brought back and kept forever.

“It’s non-negotiable and everyone who joins this club has to get used to it. Winning some games here and there doesn’t have to be Liverpool. Every team wins games.

“Liverpool will always be a club that means a lot to me and my family. I want to see it succeed long after I’ve moved on. As I’ve always said, getting into the Champions League next season is the minimum and I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.”

Slot insists Liverpool will be stronger next season

Meanwhile, under-pressure Slot promised that next season will be better.

Liverpool’s trophyless season ends at home to Brentford on May 24. Depending on the results of Bournemouth and Brighton over the next few days, Liverpool may need a good result to ensure a top-five finish to qualify for the Champions League.

The Dutchman admitted fans may not have reason to be optimistic after a difficult campaign, but he expects the best from his team next season.

“I understand at this point that they don’t have a lot of confidence or a lot of feeling that things can be much better next season,” said Slot.

“But I think they underestimate what a window can do, what a fresh start can do, and I think we know exactly what we have to improve.

“I think one of the things that we need to improve is also very obvious, and I would prefer not to talk about it here, but actually you almost forced me to.

“If you’re missing nine players who could start a game of football, and almost all of them are our starters or have been for a large part of the season, then if you add that to what you can improve in the window and add that to players who are playing their second season in the Premier League, that will automatically lead to more.

“I don’t think the difference is that big, just doing the right thing in a few cases can have a big potential increase.”