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Mohamed Salah: Liverpool forward 'devastated' on Reds missing out on Champions League

Last updated on .From the section LiverpoolBBC Russian1218

'I saw him later and he was smiling' Klopp on Salah's recent tweets

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah said he is "devastated" the club have missed out on a spot in next season's Champions League and added "there's absolutely no excuse for this".

Salah posted his comments on social mediaBBC Russian shortly after Liverpool's failure to finish in the top four was confirmed by Manchester United beating Chelsea.

Liverpool will finish fifth and play in next season's Europa League.

"We let you [fans] and ourselves down," said Egypt international Salah, 30.

Liverpool won seven of their past eight games in a late push for fourth place but, ultimately, could not make up for their inconsistent form for much of the season before that run.

United only needed a point at home to Chelsea in the penultimate game of their season to confirm their Champions League place and join champions Manchester City, second-placed Arsenal and Newcastle United as England's contingent in Europe's top competition next season.

"We had everything we needed to make it to next year's Champions League and we failed," said Salah, who was part of the Liverpool team that won the tournament in 2018-19 and lost last year's final to Real Madrid.

"We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum.

"I am sorry but it's too soon for an uplifting or optimistic post."

Liverpool started the campaign off promisingly by beating Manchester City in the Community Shield but then won only two of their opening eight Premier League games.

They struggled away from home in the top flight before their recent upturn in form, with three of their eight away defeats coming at relegation-battling Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Bournemouth, while they were only beaten by struggling Leeds United at home in the league.

Liverpool were comfortably beaten by Real Madrid in the last 16 of this season's Champions League, while they went out at the fourth-round stage of both the FA Cup and League Cup to Brighton and Manchester City respectively.

Salah, who signed a lucrative new three-year contract with Liverpool last summer, has scored 19 league goals this season, with six coming in 14 games before the 2022 World Cup and 13 in 23 games following the tournament.

'I saw Salah in the canteen and he is smiling'

Manager Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool "did not deliver what everybody wanted" this season but that there are reasons for optimism after a strong end to the campaign.

"This season has not been historically good. But since we had a training camp in Dubai after the World Cup, not everything has been perfect but the points we have collected have been pretty good," he said.

"If we could have done that all season, we'd be in a different place. So, of course there are reasons for optimism.

"The atmosphere our people created in the last home game [against Aston Villa], the way the club said farewell to the players who are leaving, all of these things are the basis for a fantastic future."

Asked about Salah's social media post, Klopp added: "In the world of social media, so many bad things happen but that wasn't one of them.

"It was a normal description of his situation. I just saw him in the canteen and he is smiling; I didn't ask him why, but that is his mood."

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1218 comments

  • Comment posted by JayJay, at 23:02 25 May 2023

    How is this a story? Athlete is upset after not qualifying shock horror.

    • Reply posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 23:28 25 May 2023

      Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd replied:
      It is not, just a random thought on how one PL player is currently feeling. As if no one could figure this out themselves.

  • Comment posted by Brass Eye, at 23:13 25 May 2023

    And the whole of the UK is shedding a tear ?

    Not.

    • Reply posted by Fifties Man, at 00:56 26 May 2023

      Fifties Man replied:
      Quite.

      He should look on the bright side - gives him the opportunity to spend more time at the local swimming baths to perfect his diving technique.

  • Comment posted by D1708727394479, at 23:14 25 May 2023

    He held his club to ransom over an astronomical pay rise and has been useless for most of this season.
    If they were good enough they'd be in it.
    They were in it this season but were not good enough.
    Should've looked after Mane who was THE best player and by some distance.

    • Reply posted by dr_wynn, at 23:26 25 May 2023

      dr_wynn replied:
      It's easy to praise Mane when the form dropped off this season, but over the past 5 seasons it's been evident that LFC only compete if all their key 1st team players are fully fit all season. They do not have the depth to compete - Salah's wage restructuring is therefore a clear error, but selling Mane is immaterial.

  • Comment posted by home, at 23:39 25 May 2023

    How sad for an entitled club and player! Complain because goal ruled out v. Villa. Most teams have experienced similar judgements but suck it up. Liverpool and Salah have benefitted from many dubious refereeing decisions. Klopp will only pay his fine if he believes it's going to a good cause. When did the guilty choose their own punishment? No wonder people dislike Liverpool.

    • Reply posted by One Step Beyond, at 23:54 25 May 2023

      One Step Beyond replied:
      All clubs write to complain about bad decisions, it’s only a BBC story when Liverpool do it. 😉

  • Comment posted by You, at 23:15 25 May 2023

    Aww nothing has warmed my heart more in recent memory than poor Mo Salah being upset❤️.

    I guess 500000 a week is good compensation though 👀

    • Reply posted by Shaandaar service, at 23:31 25 May 2023

      Shaandaar service replied:
      One of the greatest wingers of our generation, the face of the Premier League for 6 years running, led Liverpool to the Premier League and UCL in back-to-back years. A great ambassador for Muslims, a humble act, well spoken, a dream teammate, student and role model. He deserves appreciation and is a great influence mashallah. No sane human being will condone disrespect aimed at him.

  • Comment posted by Davina, at 23:24 25 May 2023

    England fans delighted Liverpool are missing out on champions league.

    • Reply posted by AndyB_MOT, at 23:27 25 May 2023

      AndyB_MOT replied:
      Speaking on behalf of England fans, I can honestly say we don't give the tiniest doggydoo which teams are in the "Champions" "League".

  • Comment posted by Badger, at 23:18 25 May 2023

    "We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum.“

    And that is why Liverpool are disliked. The arrogance and sense of entitlement is staggering.

    • Reply posted by Interrogator, at 23:21 25 May 2023

      Interrogator replied:
      You call it arrogance, others may call it ambition. Nothing wrong with Salah's comments for me.

  • Comment posted by jazzback, at 23:25 25 May 2023

    Is a comment from Salah really worthy having a debate about.

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 23:34 25 May 2023

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      No.

  • Comment posted by Davina, at 00:03 26 May 2023

    Genuinely feel sorry for Everton fans having to share a city with them.

  • Comment posted by Michael, at 23:04 25 May 2023

    Pick up and go again. The form through the season didn't merit champions league. Need to carry recent form into the new season

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 23:19 25 May 2023

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      He should have scored more goals and not missed penalties during the first 70% of the season, then he might have not been in this position.

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 23:21 25 May 2023

    Ahh what a shame. And of course, Liverpool and its fans won't want to play in the Mickey mouse Europa league on a Thursday night. Oh wait.....

    • Reply posted by Godisawinker, at 23:57 25 May 2023

      Godisawinker replied:
      Suddenly it will become a brilliant and meaningful competition.Ah,those wonderful nights in darkest Europe!

  • Comment posted by NS, at 23:27 25 May 2023

    It's weird how it only became unacceptable now, at the end of the season. At no point did Liverpool look like they'd finish in the CL spots this season and it has never been in their hands, so maybe Salah needs to make this statement to his team mates rather than try to be martyr their fans (whilst also, looking to leave, which he is).

    • Reply posted by Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery, at 01:05 26 May 2023

      Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery replied:
      Also, can't have the same teams in the CL every year, or might as well just have an ESL

  • Comment posted by Armchair Blue, at 00:01 26 May 2023

    Why is it that whenever there is a story about something bad at LFC so many people gloat?

    I mean we are talking about the biggest club in the entire Galaxy for any sport and the humblest fans of all time. They never disparage other clubs or complain about decisions against them. Other clubs and fans should worship them as the model they aspire to. /sarcasm off

    • Reply posted by TJS66, at 00:13 26 May 2023

      TJS66 replied:
      Hahaha, oh the irony!

  • Comment posted by Woo87, at 23:17 25 May 2023

    All of this juts gets funnier and funnier, Liverpool in meltdown you know you love to see it :D

    • Reply posted by Spoggy Dog, at 23:21 25 May 2023

      Spoggy Dog replied:
      Ha ha meltdown.....?
      They missed out on the CL for the first time in a very very long time. Big deal, they'll probably go on and win the Europa League. Where have other so called big teams been the last few years while Liverpool have been in final after final after final ....oh and won it. If Liverpool are in meltdown then Man Utd, Sandcastle, and plenty of others went down the sink years ago.

  • Comment posted by Poko, at 23:18 25 May 2023

    Learn to pass the ball and be less greedy. Tries the spectacular when a square ball is all that is required.

    • Reply posted by FRED44, at 23:21 25 May 2023

      FRED44 replied:
      Not bad for a one season wonder eh

  • Comment posted by Salop Eagle, at 23:22 25 May 2023

    Oh dear… exit strategy laid out .
    Great player but what a P***k*r
    He has held LFC to ransom and now he’s off.

    • Reply posted by Nealos, at 00:02 26 May 2023

      Nealos replied:
      Surely you can say plonker

  • Comment posted by D1686569760231, at 23:07 25 May 2023

    Don't worry Mo, Azerbaijan has great pools for you to dive in

  • Comment posted by Paul , at 06:43 26 May 2023

    When your supporters boo the national anthem, maybe it's only right that the team doesn't represent England in Europe's top club competition.

    • Reply posted by Pod24, at 08:12 26 May 2023

      Pod24 replied:
      Well said ,

  • Comment posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 23:23 25 May 2023

    Well, what would any reasonable person expect Salah to currently be feeling right now or expect him to respond?
    Just another story to fill today's sports space, nothing more.

    • Reply posted by Anti woke, at 00:32 26 May 2023

      Anti woke replied:
      Loserpool in meltdown.

  • Comment posted by Angler Blue, at 06:44 26 May 2023

    Liverpool not in the champions league. Wonder who is to blame, surely not Liverpool!!!!!!!!!!

    • Reply posted by thedegenerate, at 08:35 26 May 2023

      thedegenerate replied:
      The "establishment", as per usual...

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