Darwin Nunez had to hold Salah back during a fiery exchange with Klopp as he waited to come on as a substitute in the closing stages of the game. Salah then stormed down the tunnel when the final whistle confirmed that Liverpool’s title bid was effectively over after a 2-2 draw. In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Klopp said: “We spoke already in the dressing room, and for me, that’s done.” Salah remained similarly tight-lipped but seemingly couldn’t help himself as he walked through the mixed zone, where players can stop for interviews as they make their way in or out of the dressing room.
Footage shows Salah, when he was asked to stop for a chat, responding with: “If I speak today there will be fire.” Exactly what was said between player and manager is unknown, but eyebrows were raised before kick-off when Salah was named on the bench. Klopp didn’t call on his talisman until the 82nd minute, and his introduction failed to turn the tide as Liverpool dropped two more points to kill their title dreams. Arsenal and Manchester City are the only two teams left in the hunt with three weeks until the final day.
The Reds’ attackers have suffered a drop in form over the past few weeks, but Klopp decided to cut them some slack in east London. “It is what it is,” he told TNT Sports. “You see the games. We are together and we go through that together, that is all.”
The boys want it, they fought hard, gave absolutely everything. For some of them it was definitely too hard today, and yes that’s it. What I don’t understand is that with each chance we miss everyone is there throwing arms, but a chance is the closest you can get to a goal so we have to be more positive there. “Accept these kind of things happen and then do it again, and again and again.
Only time will tell whether the Egyptian stays beyond this summer as he approaches the final year of his contract, or whether he follows Klopp and heads for the exit.