Michael Owen warns Arne Slot against 'weak' Mohamed Salah decision on farewell
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesMichael OwenMohamed Salah will leave Liverpool this summer, and he threw his participation in the final game of the season into doubt by publicly questioning the team's style of play over the weekendMichael Owen gave his verdict on whether Mohamed Salah should play against Brentford(Image: Sky Sport)Michael Owen believes that it would be a mistake for Arne Slot to name Mohamed Salah in Liverpool's team on the final day of the season.Salah will leave Liverpool this summer after nine years at the club, and this weekend's game against Brentford at Anfield was expected to be his opportunity to say a final farewell to the supporters who have adored him throughout his time at the club.But Salah has seemingly risked being left out of the team for the game after questioning Arne Slot's style of play in an Instagram post after last Friday's 4-2 loss to Aston Villa, as he called for a return to the "heavy metal" approach that predecessor Jurgen Klopp was renowned for implementing.READ MORE: Roberto Martinez pays emotional Diogo Jota tribute after naming Portugal squad for World CupREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher reminded of Mohamed Salah 'apology' truth after latest Liverpool rant"I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions," Salah wrote. "It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there.
I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies."That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on.Content cannot be displayed without consent"As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen."Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen was asked whether Slot should play Salah against Brentford on Sunday, and made his view clear.
"No, I wouldn't [select Salah]," Owen said. "Because I think he [Slot] has probably got to put himself first."I know as a manager that you've almost got to put the team and the club first, but I almost think that if he plays Mo Salah, it makes him look really weak."He [Slot] didn't take him [Salah] to Inter Milan [after Salah's mixed zone comments at Leeds earlier in this season]."Even though it's his last game, and even though it'd be fairytale stuff for Salah to play and score and have a send-off – this is just a step too far."If I was a manager, I'd be thinking, 'I let him back in last time [after the comments at Leeds], now he's literally hanging me in public.