Pundit says Liverpool star Mo Salah has 'tricked himself' into believing he's on the same level as Messi and Ronaldo after explosive interview

Former Liverpool striker and pundit Stan Collymore has claimed that Mohamed Salah has ‘tricked himself’ into believing he belongs in the same ‘untouchable status’ as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Collymore’s remarks come on the heels of Salah’s explosive post-match interview following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.

Salah, who has started Liverpool’s last three matches from the bench while being an unused substitute in two, expressed his frustration with his reduced playing time after the game at Elland Road. He specifically told reporters that he feels he’s been ‘thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool, and his relationship with manager Arne Slot has broken down.

Addressing his bombshell interview, Collymore admitted that Salah has etched his name in the pantheon of greats at Anfield. However, Collymore argued that despite Salah’s achievements with the Reds, it doesn’t equate to the sporting phenomenon embodied by Messi and Ronaldo.

A part of his lengthy post on X read:

“The team are playing well in spurts, comedy defending and decision-making at other times. That includes everyone, and if you ask 99.9% of players if they'd accept 2 or 3 games on the bench for not hitting levels, all will say yes. Only in the madness of 2025 modern football would the cult of personalities not only question a reasonable conclusion of "you're not playing well, here's a spell on the bench", but Mo maybe has almost tricked himself onto elevating himself to the untouchable status of Messi or Ronaldo, players who could, if they chose, literally do and say as they pleased in the last decade. Mo isn't them, and Liverpool as I said, isn't that club either.”

So far this season, Salah has scored five goals in 19 appearances for the Reds.

Mohamed Salah casts Liverpool future in doubt amid reduced playing time

Mohamed Salah pulled no punches while speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the Reds were held to a late draw against Leeds. The 33-year-old described his current situation at Liverpool as ‘unacceptable,’ saying he has done a lot for the club.

He said:

“It is not acceptable for me. I don't know why this is happening to me. I don't get it. I think if this was somewhere else, every club would protect its player. How I see it now is like you throw Mo under the bus because he is the problem in the team now. But I don't think I am the problem. I have done so much for this club. The respect, I want to get. I don't have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone, but I earned my position. It's football. It is what it is.”

When asked if he had played his last game for the club, he added:

“In football you never know. I don't accept this situation. I have done so much for this club.”

The Egyptian winger moved to Anfield in 2017 and has established himself as a legend at the club, helping them win several titles, including the Premier League and Champions League. He is currently Liverpool’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 188 goals and sits fourth in the all-time standings.