'If I speak today, there will be fire' - Mohamed Salah & Jurgen Klopp address touchline argument
- Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah involved in spat during Liverpool's draw at West Ham
- Manager insisted post-match that matter is resolved
- Forward declined to answer questions but gave cryptic response instead
By Sean Walsh
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed he considers his touchline spat with Mohamed Salah as a resolved matter, but the Egyptian forward hinted this may not be the case.
The Reds' Premier League title hopes have been all but dashed following a disappointing 2-2 draw away at West Ham United in Saturday's early kick-off. Jarrod Bowen put the hosts ahead before Andy Robertson equalised and an own goal put Liverpool in front, only for Michail Antonio to rescue a late point for the Hammers.
Salah was dropped from the starting lineup and did not appear from the substitutes' bench until the 79th minute, and shortly before his introduction he was filmed getting into a heated argument with Klopp.
In his post-match press conference, Klopp was asked to explain the spat with Salah, but refused to get into details.
"No [I won't share what was said]. But we spoke already in the dressing room, and for me, that's done," Klopp said.
"We spoke about it in the dressing room with the lads, it's done for me."
When asked whether he considers the feud with Salah as over, Klopp replied: "That's my impression, yes."
A heated exchange between Mohamed Salah and Jürgen Klopp on the sidelines just before West Ham's equaliser 😳
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Though Salah declined interview requests in the London Stadium mixed zone, he did tell reporters: "If I speak today, there will be fire."
Klopp's Liverpool are now two points behind Premier League-leaders Arsenal and one off second-place Manchester City, though they have played one game more than the Gunners and two more than the Cityzens.
Arsenal will open up a five-point gap to Liverpool heading into their final three matches if they beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while City travel to Nottingham Forest later that day.
Liverpool will close out Klopp's final season with a trip to high-flying Aston Villa sandwiched between home games against Spurs and Wolves.
Salah had been among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot having grabbed 17 goals so far this season, but he has blanked in his last four Premier League games and remains three off the pace set by Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer.
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