Egypt's national team manager Hossam Hassan has thrown his support behind Mohamed Salah following the Liverpool star's extraordinary public attack on his club.
The 59-year-old took to Instagram to share an image of himself alongside the forward, accompanied by the message: "Always a symbol of determination and strength."
Hassan's show of solidarity came in the wake of Salah's stunning Saturday evening outburst, during which the Egyptian international accused Liverpool of mistreating him.
The national team boss, who took charge of the Pharaohs in February 2024 after previous stints with Jordan and Al Ittihad, clearly maintains a strong bond with his key player.
Salah stunned the football world on Saturday night when he sought out journalists following Liverpool's dramatic 3-3 draw to deliver a scathing assessment of his situation at Anfield.
The forward said: "I'm very disappointed, I've done so much for this club - everyone can see that - over years, especially last season, sitting on the bench I don't know why.
"It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That's how I feel it."
The Egyptian star, who remained an unused substitute throughout the match, expressed disbelief at being left out for three consecutive fixtures.
Egypt's national team manager Hossam Hassan has thrown his support behind Mohamed Salah
|REUTERS
He added: "Someone wants me to get all the blame. 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 that his relationship with manager Arne Slot has completely broken down.
He said: "There is no relationship between us.
"It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden, there is no relationship."
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Mohamed Salah was benched for Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday night | REUTERSThe forward admitted uncertainty over whether he would return to Merseyside after representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, which could keep him away for more than a month.
In an emotional revelation, Salah disclosed that he had telephoned his parents to invite them to the upcoming Brighton fixture at Anfield.
He explained: "I'm just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup of Nations, because I don't know what is going to happen when I am there."
The reigning Premier League champions surrendered a late equaliser in the 96th minute during their visit to Leeds, with Salah watching the entire contest from the bench.
Mohamed Salah is a Liverpool legend
| GETTYEgypt's Africa Cup of Nations campaign begins on December 22 with a group-stage encounter against Zimbabwe.
The tournament could run for more than a month if the Pharaohs progress through the knockout rounds.
Salah remains available for selection when Liverpool hosts Brighton next weekend, though whether Slot will include him in his starting lineup remains to be seen.
The forward would then depart for international duty with his country.
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