'If I Speak Today There Will Be Fire' - Salah Says After Clash with Jurgen Klopp During Liverpool's 2-2 Draw at West Ham

Liverpool's 2-2 draw against West Ham United on Saturday was overshadowed by a heated exchange between manager Jurgen Klopp and star forward Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian was dropped from the starting lineup and visibly expressed his anger before coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute. "If I speak today there will be fire," Salah told reporters after the match, declining to comment further on the incident.

The confrontation occurred as Salah was preparing to enter the pitch, with Klopp attempting to speak to him. Salah responded with his arms outstretched and started pointing at Klopp, who was nodding while looking out onto the field. Teammate Darwin Nunez had to intervene, getting between the two and pushing Salah away. "For me, that's done," Klopp said when asked about the reason behind the disagreement, refusing to divulge further details.

The draw dealt a significant blow to Liverpool's slim Premier League title aspirations, leaving them third in the table, two points behind Arsenal and one off Manchester City with just three games left in the season. Salah, who has scored in just one of his last six games and started on the bench for two of Liverpool's last three matches, was unable to provide the spark needed to secure a victory after coming on.

Why this matters: The public clash between Klopp and Salah raises questions about the relationship between Liverpool's manager and their star player in Klopp's final season with the club. With Salah's contract set to expire next year and Liverpool's title challenge fading, the incident adds to the uncertainty surrounding the team's future.

Klopp, who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nearly nine years in charge, downplayed the incident, stating that they had already discussed the matter in the dressing room.

However, the abiding image of the match is likely to be the heated exchange between the two, which highlighted a rare public example of discord within a Liverpool squad known for its unity. As the Reds look ahead to the arrival of Arne Slot as Klopp's successor, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges the new manager will face in revitalizing the team.

Key Takeaways

• Liverpool's 2-2 draw with West Ham overshadowed by heated Klopp-Salah exchange.
• Salah visibly expressed anger at being dropped from the starting lineup.
• The confrontation dealt a blow to Liverpool's slim Premier League title hopes.
• The incident raises questions about Klopp and Salah's relationship in Klopp's final season.
• The new manager will face challenges in revitalizing the team after this incident.