‘Is it a lot worse than what we know?’ – Steven Gerrard questions whether Mo Salah fall-out at Liverpool reveals a deeper issue

Salah was dropped from the Liverpool squad for their Champions League game against Inter Milan on Tuesday night after an explosive interview given to reporters following Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds.

After being left out of the team for a third game in succession, Salah picked his moment to speak to the media, as he suggested his relationship with manager Slot has broken down and accused Anfield chiefs of ‘throwing him under the bus’ and making him a scapegoat for their recent poor form.

Now Gerrard has entered the debate over what needs to happen next, as he hinted Salah’s comments may have revealed deeper problems in the Liverpool camp.

When asked whether Liverpool are now a club in crisis, he offered up this response in the latest episode of The Breakdown, which is available to watch on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel.

“I think they are closer to it. I don’t like using the word [crisis]. Is it a lot worse than what we know, what we have seen?” he questioned.

“I have seen this, and I have lived this when [Luis] Suarez fell out with Brendan [Rodgers] – face to face, seen it all, I tried to mediate that because that wasn’t good for anyone.

“At the end of the day, Liverpool Football Club needs Mo Salah back playing well, back scoring goals because he is the best player, the best scorer, and he will help them get out of this “crisis” in my opinion. So, who is gaining from all of this? My opinion is, if this goes on, this is bigger than what we all know and what we see.

“In Mo’s shoes, as the player, he is thinking this is the first time he has had a difficult period, this is the time when I need where I need the manager, this is the time where I need the club, this is the time where I need more support. Maybe he feels like he has not got that. This is his first dip in form in eight years which is remarkable.”

“I respect a lot of lines he said such as he does not like being a sub. If he was saying that I am alright being on the bench, then I am thinking he is just happy taking his money.

“He [Salah] is obviously really upset that he is not playing which I respect, he wants to help the team, which I respect. A couple of lines about throwing people under the bus is wrong, he needs to reverse a little bit from that and he needs to deal with that with the manager.

“How are we sorting this out for the benefit, not only the team or the club, but for the fans? Is it fixable? Yes, unless it is a lot worse than what we have seen.”

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.

Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Gerrard went on to urge Liverpool to spend more money in the transfer market in January, even though the club broke all their records by spending over £400m on new signings last summer.

“That’s where I think they need to do a little bit in January, in terms of the balance of the squad,” he added.

“They have got unbelievable talent. I think the recruitment team at Liverpool have been unbelievable, they are top. The squad is a little bit unbalanced at the moment, losing Diaz, not getting someone in to replace him.

“I know they were linked with Anthony Gordon but there is a lot of pressure for [Cody] Gakpo to deliver from that side, there isn’t really an ideal replacement. Maybe it’s a [Florian] Wirtz, maybe it’s an [Hugo] Ekitike.

“They are desperate for a centre-half. For me, it’s been a combination of things. Our top players have been a little off-form, the Jota scenario, the hunger after winning the league, a couple of injuries in key areas. New signings still finding their feet, a lot of change and a lot of transition.

“Can Liverpool get back quickly to where they want to be? I think so. If they have a decent January and fix the balance, Isak getting fitter, Wirtz finding his feet, solve the Salah problem – Liverpool will not be far away.”