Mohamed Salah has been condemned by three former England players for going public with his grievances following Liverpool's 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney, Danny Murphy and Michael Owen have all made their feelings clear on the outburst from Salah that came after he watched the entire Leeds match from the substitutes' bench without being called upon by manager Arne Slot.
The Egyptian told reporters at Elland Road: "I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That's the third time. It's the first time in my career I think."
He added: "The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I'm on bench so I can say they haven't kept those promises."
Salah also revealed his relationship with Slot had broken down entirely: "I said many times before I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don't have any relationship."
He added he felt someone at the club wanted him to shoulder the blame for Liverpool's poor form.
"Arne Slot has to show his authority and pull him in and say 'you are not travelling with the team, what you said is not acceptable'," said Rooney in his latest podcast episode.
"Take yourself off to Afcon and let everything calm down. If I was him there would be no way he would be in the team."
Mohamed Salah was benched for Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday night | REUTERSHe added: "It needs to be sorted out quickly either way."
Murphy, speaking on Match of the Day, accused the Egyptian forward of turning the spotlight onto himself during a difficult period for the club.
He said: "By doing what he's done, he's causing the manager and the team a problem and he's making it all about him. You just can't do it."
Murphy acknowledged that Salah had every right to feel "emotional, angry and frustrated" after being left on the bench for a third consecutive match.
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Wayne Rooney believes that Slot must now show his authority
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However, he insisted such matters should remain private: "You have to keep it in the four walls of the club. Knock on the manager's door, go and see the CEO, the owner, do what you've got to do."
Owen, who himself experienced a difficult departure from Anfield when he joined Real Madrid in 2004, also weighed in on the controversy.
The former striker took to the social media platform X to express his disappointment at Salah's decision to speak out.
Owen wrote: "Oh Mo Salah. I can imagine how you feel. You've carried this team for a long time and won everything there is to win."
Michael Owen experienced a difficult departure from Anfield when he joined Real Madrid in 2004
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He added: "But this is a team game and you simply can't publicly say what you've said."
Owen suggested the 33-year-old should have waited before airing his frustrations, given his imminent international commitments.
He said: "You're going to AFCON in a week. Surely you bite your lip, enjoy representing your country and see how the land lies when you get back?"
Liverpool currently sits eighth in the Premier League table, having dropped points in four of their last five league fixtures.
Danny Murphy, speaking on Match of the Day, accused the Egyptian forward of turning the spotlight onto himself during a difficult period for the club
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Reports suggest the club remains open-minded regarding Salah's future, with interest from Saudi Arabia continuing to circle around the forward.
The Egyptian international is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15, meaning he could be absent from Merseyside until after the tournament final on January 18.
Murphy expressed hope that the situation could still be resolved amicably.
He said: "Everyone will want a legend like Salah to go on good terms with a wonderful send-off.
"Liverpool Football Club are in charge of what happens because he's signed the contract but if he's adamant he wants to leave maybe we will see something in January, but I hope not."
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