Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has weighed in on Mo Salah’s recent controversial remarks, emphasizing the importance of having Salah back in the team.

The Egyptian star made headlines on Saturday evening following a dramatic interview at Elland Road, where Liverpool had let a lead slip, resulting in a 3-3 draw against Leeds United.

Salah, who remained on the bench throughout the game, expressed feeling “thrown under the bus” amidst Liverpool’s challenging form. This sentiment was compounded by his subsequent exclusion from Arne Slot’s Champions League squad for their upcoming match against Inter Milan on Tuesday.

Speaking on TNT Sports’ The Breakdown, the former Liverpool captain shared, “He’s clearly frustrated about not playing, which I understand and respect. He wants to contribute to the team, and I respect that too.”

Gerrard further commented, “The remarks about being thrown under the bus were misguided. This situation needs to be addressed with the manager. It’s crucial for someone like Virgil van Dijk to step in and help resolve this, not just for the club or the team, but for the fans as well.”

Steven Gerrard has given his thoughts on Mo Salah’s explosive interview at Elland Road on the weekend

After being an unused substitute, the Egyptian told reporters he feels he’s been ‘thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool

Reflecting on his own experiences of dressing room rifts, Gerrard added: ‘I’ve seen this and I’ve lived it with (Luis) Suarez when he fell out with Brendan (Rodgers) face to face. I’ve been there and done it myself. I did the Salah statements in 30 seconds against (Manchester) United and got sent off.

‘So no one’s perfect and we’ve all had head loss as players, where we’ve done emotional things. I think in time when this all calms, Mo will go, “I shouldn’t have said that. I maybe shouldn’t have said that and I was a bit emotional and a bit hasty.”

‘At the end of the day, Liverpool need Mo Salah back playing well, scoring goals because he is the best player, the best scorer, and he will help them get out of this. If this goes on, this is bigger than what we all know and what we see.’

Slot’s side secured a 1-0 win in Salah’s absence at the San Siro thanks to a late penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai after Florian Wirtz was deemed to have had his shirt tugged in the box. 

It came just hours after Salah had posted a lonely photo in the gym back at the club’s AXA Training Centre in a seemingly pointed message to his manager. 

Speculation that the legendary winger could leave Merseyside has been rife since his interview, with rumours of a move to Saudi Arabia resurfacing. 

However the veteran was coy when asked about the possibility of him ditching the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League.  

Salah however refused to answer a question about interest from the Middle East.

The Reds won in Salah’s absence at the San Siro thanks to a late penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai

The Egyptian meanwhile posted a lonely photo from back at the club’s Merseyside AXA Training Centre

‘I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,’ he said at Leeds’ ground. ‘That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think.

‘(I am) very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over the years, especially last season. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel.

‘Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on the bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.

‘I used to have a good relationship (with manager Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why.’

With Liverpool set to face Brighton at Anfield on Saturday, it’s currently unclear whether Salah will be recalled to the champions’ squad. 

But after the win in Italy, Slot hinted that there could be a way back for the Egyptian if he acknowledges that he made a mistake. 

Speaking to pundit and fellow Dutchman Clarence Seedorf on Amazon Prime, he said: ‘You say everyone makes mistakes in life, so the first thing should be: does the player think he’s made a mistake as well?

‘And then the next question is, should the initiative come from me or him? That’s another question to answer.’

Speaking after the win in Milan, manager Arne Slot did hint that there could be a way back for the 33-year-old

Slot later rowed back on his comments with a mixed message, saying: ‘Clarence said that in his opinion and I didn’t say who should make the first step.

‘Tonight it should be all about the players that are here. In the rich history Liverpool has had they have had many of these evenings. 

‘(The performance) was all I could ask for, I think the fourth game in 10 days, that is not what you see a lot with only 13 outfield players available with experience, after the blow we had conceding the 3-3 in Leeds then in this stadium against such a strong Inter team, we hardly gave away a chance.

‘We had a great mentality second half, we get better and better.’