Jamie Carragher believes Arne Slot faces an almost impossible situation regarding Mohamed Salah ahead of Liverpool’s final game of the season against Brentford.
Following Salah’s explosive social media comments criticising Liverpool’s current identity and standards, there have been growing calls from some pundits for the Egyptian to be dropped entirely from the matchday squad.
But Carragher believes the reality is far more complicated.
Speaking about the situation, Carragher said:
“I don’t think any manager should ever cut off his nose to spite his face. Now if playing Mo Salah at the weekend gives Liverpool the best chance of winning the game, you have to pick him.”
Carragher admitted he had criticised Salah for being selfish with the timing and nature of his public comments.
However, he also argued Slot cannot afford to make emotional decisions if Liverpool still require a result to secure Champions League qualification.
The former Liverpool defender suggested the situation changes slightly if Liverpool qualify before the Brentford game.
In that scenario, Slot could decide to focus on players who will definitely remain at the club next season, potentially reducing Salah’s role or bringing him on from the bench instead.
But Carragher made clear the bigger issue is the manager’s current lack of authority and support.
According to Carragher, Salah understood exactly what he was doing because Slot does not currently possess the same strength or backing previous elite managers enjoyed.
He compared the situation to figures like Alex Ferguson, José Mourinho and Jürgen Klopp — managers who had enough power and supporter backing to make huge decisions without immediately risking backlash.
Carragher believes Slot is not in that position.
That is why he thinks denying Salah a proper Anfield farewell could backfire badly.
Carragher warned that if Slot leaves Salah out completely, supporters may turn against the manager even more strongly than they already have following Liverpool’s disastrous campaign.
And that reality, in Carragher’s view, is exactly why Salah felt comfortable speaking publicly in the first place.
The comments highlight just how delicate and tense the atmosphere around Liverpool has become in recent weeks.
Instead of preparing quietly for the final game of the season, the club is now dealing with public criticism, dressing room speculation and growing uncertainty surrounding both Salah and Slot.
For many supporters, the biggest concern is no longer simply one result or one match.
It is the feeling that Liverpool’s leadership, authority and identity all appear fragile at the same time.
And Carragher’s assessment suggests those issues now extend far beyond the pitch itself.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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