Mohamed Salah Benched at Liverpool, Criticizes Club for Being 'Thrown Under the Bus' - December 2025

Star player Mohamed Salah was benched for recent Liverpool games, including three consecutive matches, and was omitted from the squad for a Champions League tie against Inter Milan. Following this, Salah publicly criticized manager Arne Slot and the club, stating he was "thrown under the bus." The fallout has led Egyptian football fans to turn away from Liverpool matches, impacting viewership in Cairo. While Liverpool manager Arne Slot refused to discuss Salah after a 1-0 win against Inter Milan, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has urged Salah to reconcile with the club. Salah's Egypt teammates have also publicly supported him ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.