Wirtz defends Salah post as Liverpool chase one point

One point is all Liverpool need on Sunday to seal Champions League qualification, even as Florian Wirtz has defended his decision to “like” Mohamed Salah’s controversial social media post.

Speaking to The Athletic during a dinner with teammates, the £116 million midfielder said the reaction to Salah’s comments had been exaggerated. Wirtz rejected the idea that the post amounted to an internal revolt against Arne Slot, saying the departing forward was simply being honest after a difficult season.

The post and the backlash

Wirtz was one of a dozen senior squad members to publicly endorse Salah’s explosive Instagram message, which criticised the team’s current tactical direction. The post was widely read as a swipe at Slot.

The Egyptian icon’s relationship with Slot has apparently deteriorated after a previous squad exclusion against Inter, and Salah called for a return to the energetic style associated with former manager Jurgen Klopp. The public display of support from several players has fuelled speculation about dressing-room dissatisfaction under the current coaching regime.

Wirtz backs Salah’s honesty

Asked about the reaction to the social media storm, Wirtz said: “We had a good time at the restaurant. With Mo leaving, it was nice to spend some time with him. Mo has known the club for a long time now. He’s just an honest guy.

"He says what he thinks. This should be OK. If you want to speak, you should be able to speak. Of course, it was a bit of a difficult season for all of us, including Mo. In my opinion, it got made bigger than it was. I don’t think he attacked anyone.”

He later added: “No, nothing like that. I like Mo’s mentality in general - how he sees things, how he works. He’s a guy you can listen to, because he has seen a lot. He wasn’t attacking anyone. With the ‘likes’ players gave, I think it was made too big.

"For me, it was just a thing that he wanted to say because he’s leaving. He wanted to make everyone in the club alert that we have to work more and do better. We are all anything but happy with this season.

"I think we can still make a little bit out of it by qualifying for the Champions League on Sunday. We have to do that. Then in the summer, we need to clear our heads and attack next season, because we have a very good squad and we can do much better.”

Slot’s final-day decision

Slot now faces a tactical and diplomatic call over whether to give the departing forward a farewell appearance against Brentford on Sunday. Liverpool need only a single point from the Anfield match to confirm Champions League football for next term.

After a trophy-less and unstable campaign, the club are aiming to finish the season with that result before the squad breaks for summer rest and a psychological reset.