‘I was Carragher’s Liverpool team-mate – his Salah row is only doing one thing’

Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes the public dispute between Mohamed Salah and Jamie Carragher is negatively impacting Arne Slot’s side, insisting such matters should be handled internally

Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has voiced his concerns that the ongoing saga surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool could have a detrimental effect on Arne Slot’s team. Johnson’s former team-mate, Jamie Carragher, has also been embroiled in the debate.

Salah was notably absent from Liverpool’s squad for their 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday night. This decision came after the Egyptian star expressed uncertainty about his future at Anfield, citing a strained relationship with Slot.

In his interview, Salah specifically mentioned Sky Sports pundit and former Reds vice-captain Carragher, who retaliated by branding the 33 year old ‘a disgrace’.

READ MORE: Steven Gerrard tells Mohamed Salah exactly where he stands on Liverpool spat – ‘Wrong’READ MORE: New Jurgen Klopp verdict on Mohamed Salah emerges in two-word warning for Liverpool

This is just the latest in a series of heated exchanges between the two, but Johnson insists this feud needs to end for the sake of Liverpool, as all it is doing is continually negatively impacting Liverpool.

Speaking exclusively to the Liverpool ECHO, Johnson said: “Well, warranted, if people are going to have outbursts that affect a lot of people, then you’re going to have to put on your crash helmet on and be ready for other people to have their say. Whether it all helps the situation or not, I don’t think it does.

“But you can totally understand why people are frustrated and it also comes because people have got so much respect for Mo, it sort of comes more from the heart than actually wanting to be sticking the dagger in.

“So it’s a really weird situation because obviously everyone associated with football, certainly Liverpool, love Mo. So I think it’s more hurting personally than it is to people just wanting to jump in and stick their boot in.”

Johnson went on to suggest that Salah has mishandled this situation, and it should have been resolved privately, away from prying eyes.

“I don’t think anything like that [disputes] should be done publicly,” the former England international declared.

“Whatever goes on between the pros and the staff and everyone in the dressing room, speak freely, say whatever you want, have a bust up in the dressing room, but you walk out as team-mates.

“You know, you say what you think you need to say and people will have their chance to retaliate and then you dust off and go again.

“It’s almost like when it goes out publicly, it’s almost like the last resort. Ultimately there’s, you know, there’s other teammates involved and this is at the minute this is the only thing people are talking about.

“When that’s not helping these teammates, it’s not helping the club, it’s not helping the form of the team for sure. I don’t like it when it’s done this way in the public.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.