Arne Slot's men came into Friday's fixture knowing that a win at Villa Park guaranteed their place in the Champions League next season. Yet like so many times during their whimpering title defense, the Reds fell well short of their goal.
Salah appeared off the bench, logging his first minutes since suffering a hamstring injury at the end of April. Like most of his teammates, the Egypt international got little going on Friday evening, but that did not stop him from issuing a head-turning statement the following day.
Salah's Bombshell Statement Comes With a Promise
"I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions. It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that," Salah wrote on X.
"As I've always said, qualifying to next season's Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen."
Slot Caught in the Crossfire Again
The Reds sit fifth in the table, at risk of not qualifying for the Champions League, and will end the season trophyless. Fans want a change in the dugout, and Salah seems to be of the same mind—even if he has not come out and said so himself.
After all, attacking the club's current style of play and identity is a direct shot at his manager, who he already took aim at back in December with an explosive rant at Elland Road. Salah told reporters he was "thrown under the bus" amid the team's poor spell and he had "no relationship" with Slot.
The two seemingly hashed out their issues, but Salah's lengthy statement proves he does not like the direction the team is headed in under Slot's rule.