Virgil van Dijk urged to make Mohamed Salah Liverpool intervention - 'I'd have a word' - The Mirror

Mohamed Salah and Liverpool are still facing an awkward predicament after his outburst at the weekend with club captain Virgil van Dijk being urged to step in

Steve McManaman has urged Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson to have words with Mohamed Salah in order to sort out the messy situation brewing at Liverpool. The 33-year-old launched into a furious rant following the 3-3 stalemate with Leeds United, having been left on the bench throughout the match.

Arne Slot then dropped him entirely from the squad that defeated Inter Milan in the Champions League days later, and the tension shows no signs of easing. McManaman believes the issue must be addressed urgently and has called upon two of Liverpool's most experienced players to intervene.

Speaking to TNT Sports about how Liverpool should tackle the predicament, he said: "I think that's the important part in the coming hours and days. "He leaves for AFCON on Monday and they've got Brighton at the weekend. It would be nice if something is sorted out between now and Saturday."

The former Liverpool winger continued: "It could be any of the players. He's got relationships with Virgil van Dijk for the last eight years, and Andy Robertson for last eight years. Everybody's close in that dressing room.

"I'd have a word with him if I'd known him for that long saying 'Oi, this is not good for you and it's not good for the team going forward.' This has to be nipped in the bud before he goes to AFCON.

"You can't have six weeks of everyone thinking about rumours and innuendos: 'what's this', 'what's that?' 'Will he come back in January? This needs to be nipped in the bud now before he goes because it will not do anybody any good if it carries on over the next six weeks."

Predictably, Salah dominated post-match discussions on Tuesday evening despite his absence from the squad. Slot delivered his assessment whilst several Liverpool players also weighed in on the matter.

Speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport, the Reds manager said: "Well, you say everyone makes mistakes in life but the question is should the players also recognise that as well?

"And should the initiative come from the player or me? That's another question. Ibou Konate has had some difficult moments lately but he played an outstanding game [against Inter].

"After PSV and Forest games, where we conceded seven goals in two games, it was time for us to concede less and that's what we did against West Ham. Then we played Sunderland and their first chance came in the 86th minute.

"Their first goal wasn't even a chance and then came Leeds. We showed character in the second half and changed the tactics a little bit.

"There was a lot of things been said. Normally, that affects players as well because he's [Salah] been so influential for the club and the players so it's never nice when something happens to their teammates."

Van Dijk, meanwhile, commented: "It's not up to me to say who should apologise. It's [Salah] airing his feelings. The club has to deal with it and him as well.

"It's a collective situation. Things between Mo and the club are going on and he is obviously not here today helping us get three points.

"I know Mo a long time. He is a friend. We have had highs and lows. We speak, those type of things will stay indoors. We have to brace ourselves and be against the outside noise."

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