Mohamed Salah has accused Liverpool of scapegoating him amid a growing rift with Arne Slot, claiming he’s being blamed for the team’s form.

Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute during Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United, continuing a stretch of limited game time that has raised questions about the Egyptian’s future at Anfield.

Speaking to reporters post-match, Salah went on a rare offensive, explaining his view of the situation.

I think it is very clear that somebody wants me to take all the blame. I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say [Liverpool] keep [their] promises. I’ve said a few times before that I have a good relationship with the manager and now all of a sudden we have no relationship. I don’t know why.

It seems like the club are throwing me under the bus. That’s how I feel. This club, I will always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I always will. But it’s not acceptable to me, to be fair. I don’t get it.

Salah, 33, who joined Liverpool in 2017 under Jurgen Klopp, added:

I don’t think I’m the problem. I have done so much for this club. I don’t have to fight every day for my position because I earn it. I earned my position.

Despite being instrumental in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign last season, scoring 29 goals in the league, Salah has found himself on the margins this year. He has just four goals in 13 league appearances, and his last start came in a 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in November.

The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career, I’m very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why.

I called my mum yesterday, you guys didn’t know if I would start or not, but I knew. Yesterday I said, ‘come to the Brighton game.’ I don’t know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen. I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the AFCON.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended his decision not to bring Salah off the bench at Elland Road.

“It was more about controlling the game [at 3-2] and we didn’t need a goal,” Slot told Sky Sports. “Normally when you need a goal, like last week against Sunderland, I brought Mo on.”

Slot later acknowledged the attention surrounding Salah’s absence.

The chatter, yes, because he deserves that. He has been so influential for me and [for] six or seven years. It’s completely normal people talk about it when he isn’t playing.

Salah, who signed a new two-year contract in April, remains on the radar of the Saudi Pro League. According to reports, Al-Hilal, coached by Simone Inzaghi, are among several clubs interested in a potential transfer. The SPL had previously made an unsuccessful £150 million bid to sign Salah in 2023.

With tensions rising and the Africa Cup of Nations looming, speculation over the forward’s next move appears likely to intensify.