Mo Salah and Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool forward appears to clash with manager on touchline at West Ham

27 April 2024, 13:37 | Updated: 29 April 2024, 06:10

Mo Salah said "if I speak today there will be fire" after clashing with Jurgen Klopp on the touchline during Liverpool's 2-2 draw at West Ham.

The incident occurred while Salah, who had been dropped from the starting XI following a much-criticised performance in Wednesday's Merseyside derby, was waiting to come on with 11 minutes remaining at The London Stadium.

Klopp turned to Salah on the touchline after a missed West Ham chance, and the pair exchanged words before Salah was pushed away by Joe Gomez and Darwin Nunez.

Salah's comments came as he walked through the post-match mixed zone declining interview requests.

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Afterwards Klopp refused to divulge what had sparked the incident, but added: "We spoke already in the dressing room. For me, that's done."

Asked if Salah felt the issue was closed, Klopp said in his press conference: "That's my impression, yes."

Wide-angled footage showed Salah approaching the touchline with Nunez and Gomez to be subbed on, with Klopp reaching out to shake Salah's hand. The Egyptian was not immediately forthcoming, but shook Klopp's hand before an exchange of words.

Klopp then hugged both Nunez and Gomez, before West Ham missed an opportunity, and Klopp clashed with Salah again, picked up clearly by the TV cameras.

Jamie Carragher posted on X: "The only reason a manager would be unhappy in this situation, is the player took too long to be ready to come on."

Liverpool's latest setback has dealt another significant blow to their faltering title bid. Klopp's side have won just one of their last five Premier League matches.

They sit a point behind second-placed Man City, who have two games in hand, and two points behind leaders Arsenal, who have one game in hand.

"I'm not in the mood to talk about that to be honest or look at that at all," Klopp told TNT. "We had to win here, we knew that, and we didn't, and now we have a little bit more time between now and the next game. We try to get the boys ready again and we will go again."

Carragher: Don't take sides

Carragher reflected on the incident again on Sunday morning, posting on X: "Mo Salah and Jurgen Klopp are Liverpool legends. We don't need to take sides!

"Salah is frustrated and angry with Jurgen that he's not playing and at that moment didn't want to fully embrace the boss. Jurgen understandably took exception.

"Mo was daft with his comment in the mixed zone but let's let them sort it out and enjoy the last few weeks together. They've been a massive help to each other in all that's been achieved at the club!"

Redknapp: Salah's time at Liverpool coming to an end

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:

"It felt a little bit uncharacteristic for both of them. Jurgen Klopp doesn't tend to fall out with his own players, Mohamed Salah's obviously frustrated because he's not starting the game and there was a few choice words between them. You can't dress it up - he wants to play.

"I don't like to see it, but it happens. With Liverpool throwing points away at the moment these things do happen.

"There hasn't been too many incidents with Salah. He's been an incredible servant for the club. I do believe his time is coming to an end. I think in the summer, with his contract running down, I wouldn't be surprised if he was to leave.

"I think the most important thing is that because of his legacy and how well he's done that the quicker this is brushed under the carpet the better, because he's been a legend for that team.

"He just wants to play, but you don't like to see a manager and a player falling out."

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(c) Sky Sports 2024: Mo Salah and Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool forward appears to clash with manager on touchline at West Ham