Mohamed Salah’s clashes with Jurgen Klopp, interview threat and touchline snub

Mohamed Salah pulled no punches with an explosive interview blasting Liverpool and Arne Slot after their 3-3 draw with Leeds United and he’s no stranger to butting heads with management

Mohamed Salah’s fiery interactions with Jurgen Klopp during the German’s time in charge at Liverpool

• Brighton Substitution Snub: The first major public sign of friction occurred during a draw against Brighton in November 2020, where Salah threw his arms up in frustration and pointedly ignored Klopp after being substituted in the 60th minute. Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Klopp tried to deflect the tension by stating: “If Mo is smiling when he leaves the pitch, then something’s wrong.”

• Midtjylland Captaincy Complaint: Salah publicly questioned Klopp’s authority in an interview with Spanish outlet AS, admitting he was “very disappointed” to be overlooked for the captaincy in a 2020 Champions League match in favour of Trent Alexander-Arnold. This unauthorised interview sparked rumours of a rift, as Salah openly flirted with Real Madrid and Barcelona while criticising the manager’s decision.

• Chelsea Agent Tweet: Tensions escalated during a home defeat to Chelsea in 2021 when Klopp substituted Salah early in the second half, prompting the player to shake his head in disbelief on the bench. Minutes later, Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, posted a cryptic tweet containing only a full stop, which was widely interpreted by Sky Sports pundits as a sign of the camp’s deepening dissatisfaction with Klopp’s management.

• Stamford Bridge Tantrum: In the opening game of the 2023 season against Chelsea, Salah reacted furiously to being substituted, aggressively ripping the tape off his wrists and storming past Klopp without making eye contact. Klopp told Sky Sports afterwards that he understood the player’s desire to set records but insisted: “I am the manager, I have to make decisions for the team.”

• Sheffield United Head-Shake: During a crucial title-race match against Sheffield United in 2024, Salah appeared bemused and shook his head repeatedly after being subbed off while the game was still tied. Klopp was forced to defend the decision to TNT Sports, admitting the forward was not happy but asserting: “I have to make the decision that I think is right in the moment.”

• West Ham Touchline Scream: The relationship hit its lowest visible point when the two engaged in a screaming match on the sideline just before Salah was introduced as a substitute against West Ham in April 2024. Cameras from TNT Sports captured fellow striker Darwin Nunez physically stepping in to restrain Salah, who appeared to be shouting aggressively at his manager.

• “Fire” Post-Match Threat: Immediately following the West Ham altercation, Salah refused to stop for interviews in the mixed zone but issued a menacing warning to the gathered press. He said: “If I speak, there will be fire.” This directly contradicted Klopp’s earlier claim to the media that the issue was already resolved.

• Biography Coaching Criticism: A posthumous blow to their professional relationship appeared in the authorised biography Chasing Salah, which reported that Salah felt he “barely learned anything new” defensively under Klopp. The 2024 book detailed how Salah believed the defensive instructions were repetitive and that his development had stagnated under the German’s coaching.