Liverpool’s title hopes took a significant blow with a disappointing draw against West Ham United, marred by a heated on-field altercation between star forward Mohamed Salah and manager Jurgen Klopp.
As Salah was brought on as a substitute in the 79th minute, he engaged in a heated exchange with Klopp on the touchline. Salah’s animated gestures and body language suggested frustration and disagreement with the decision. Despite attempts by teammates Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez to intervene, the confrontation continued.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton placed the blame squarely on Salah. “I didn’t like it, but I think Mo Salah is the one who was out of order,” Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.
Salah’s frustration may have stemmed from being benched for most of the match, leaving him with limited time to make an impact. However, Sutton emphasized that the manager has the authority to select the players he believes are best suited for the game.
Salah’s recent form has been a concern, with the Egyptian forward struggling to regain his scoring touch after recovering from an injury. Klopp’s decision to bench him was likely based on his assessment of Salah’s current performance level.
With Liverpool’s title challenge fading, the race for the Premier League trophy now rests between Manchester City and Arsenal. Arsenal currently lead the table by one point, but Manchester City have a game in hand.
The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both teams. Manchester City must win all their remaining matches to secure the title, while Arsenal will need to maintain their consistency and avoid any slip-ups.
Manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his belief that Arsenal will not drop any points, putting the pressure on Manchester City to perform at their best in every game.
